Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-04-11
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
Geological Facts .-Theory of Volcanoes.

There has been several theories proposed,
to account for the causes and productions of
Volcanoes. But all, of course, are hypothet-
lcal for none, as yet, have been offered that
will account for all the phenomena exhibited
by them. The one that explains the greatest
number OF these phenomena, is the hypothe-
sis of a central fire. that is, vast quantities
of melted matter or lava, deeply seated to-
wards the centre of the earth, and the two
hundred VOLCANOES now known, are chimneys
or occasional outlets to this ocean of fire
When this mass is disturbed by the admission
OF water, an earthquake ensues and when
the internal pressure becomes very great on
account OF the steam into which the water
is converted, an erur ton follows, forcing the
lava up these 'chimneys,' at the same time
relieving the internal pressure.
If this earth, in its interior, was filled with
al igneous fluid, we would reasonably expect,
that by descending towards it, the greater
would be the incessant temperature, by the
heat being conducted outward to the surface.
And this is known to be the case for in
many coal mines and wells, experiments are
constantly being made which prove to that
amount.
1t is true, that the penetration of the suns
rays cause an annual change in the earth's
temperature-that is to a certain extent-but
it has been decided, that below a certain ex-
tent it fails to produce any effect. When,
therefore, we find the temperature increasing
the further we penetrate into its depths, we
must essentially attribute it to some other
agency and the most probable agency and
almostcertaln, is that of a central fire. Such
increases OF temperature nearly every one
has experienced, when going into a cave or
we'll. Relative to which, many experiments
have been made, the following is the result
of one: At the surface of the earth the tenn
perature of the air was so degrees. At 12O
feet below the surface the air was 81 degrees.
At 600 feet below, temperature of the air &c
degrees, water 81 degrees. At 962 feet below
air 10, water a degrees. At 1900 feet be-
low the surface, the temperature of the all
was Is, water IS degrees.
All experiments, however, do not agree,
which may be readily accounted for, by sup
posing this igneous fluid not at equal distan.
ces from the surface of the earth together
with the incorrectness with which the exper
lment might have been made. The result Of
the different experiments differ from 1O4 IL
"A feet, for one degree of increase. And BY
rejecting a few as incorrect, and estimating
the balance, the increase of temperature O
the earth downward, has been placed in the
ratio OF one degree of increase for every g.
feet. Fl. r.
Smyth County, Va.
Hon. JOHN KERR.-We learn that oul
Representative in the last Congress, the Hon
John Kerr, made a public speech at Ashe
boro', the early part of this week, and an
nounced himself a candidate for reelection
to Congress. We heard remark made By
one present, that Mr.. KS speech was ver7
long, able and eloquent and that the Know
Nothings received a full share of his sarcas
tic invective. According to reports Sam
caught it strong,'-the grounds of Mr.. X
opposition to the new party we have no
learned.-Greensboro' Patriot.