The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-06
Nc TEIEGRA PHILADELPHIA MONDAY SEPTEMBER 81 1869

cipal rivers, the Nile and the Niger, flow in OPP
pOsite directions-the former towards the pole
and the latter towards the equator. There is,
however, considerable difference of latitude in
favor of the Nile; but this cannot be far from
balanced by the greater quantity of sedimentary
matter brought down by the Niger, as proved by
its delta of 240 miles of coast. The general
course of the other important rivers of Africa,
the Senegal, Zambesi, and Orange rivers, is so
nearly parallel with the equator that they exer-
else no appreciable influence on the axial rota-
tion of the earth.
Australia being drained by rivers the course of
which are directed to all points of the compass,
and, consequently, of no account as regards the
earths motion, has likewise been excluded from
the tables. 1t may be observed that the basin of
the important river Goolwa and its tributaries,
excepting the Callewatta, is almost on the same
parallel with the mouth ofIthe main river. Hence
scarcely any disturbing force is produced, not
withstanding the great extent of the basin
drained by the Goolwa. The Amazon, which
drains more than two millions of square miles.
strikingly illustrates the feeble influence of
rivers the centres of whose basins are nearly on
the same parallel as their outlets, more particu-
larly when, like the Amazon, they are situated
near the equator. 1t will be seen by reference to
the tables that the enormous masses of solid
matter carried to the ocean by the greatest river
on the globe deprives it of only 10000 foot
pounds per second.
CONCLUSIONS.
It need hardly be stated that owing to the eX-
isting uncertainty regarding the amount of pre-
cpitation in the higher latitudes, not to mention
our total want of information as to the propor-
tion of sedimentary matter conveyed, especially
with reference to the great Asiatic and North
American rivers, no perfect table cen be pre-
pared Mt present or any reliable calculations
made to determine the amount of UjS UiUa re-
stored to the earth by the rivers flowing to the
poles. But this uncertainty about the precipi-
tation in the polar regions, and the quantity of
solid matter discharged into the Arctic Seas
does not in the least invalidate our estimate of
the magnitude of the retarding influence on the
carths aXial rotation, caused by the numerous
rivers flowing towards the equator. Indeed, the
standard furnished by the abrasion occasoned
by the waters of the Mississippi viz, one
pound of solid matter per second transferred to
the mouth of the river for every 400S square
miles of river basin drained will be found
rather below than in excess of the general
average of other rivers running in the direction
of the equatorial regions. Hence no reasonable
doubt can been tertained that the earth as shown,
by the tables, sustans loss of UiS Cjrd of 80 S94
COS foot pounds eUery second. Multiplying this
sum by sc, 400 seconds, we learn that every sue
ceeding day marks q dminution of the earth's
Uis UiUd of B. 446 $685. 45l, 200 foot pounds in con-
| sequence of the change in position of the
abraded matter carried towards the equator
Future investigations must determine to what
extent this loss is reduced by the cOunteracting
| influence of the abraded matter which is carried
in the direction of the poles.
| In the meantime, the magnitude of the retard-
| ing force which we have ndisputably established
| by our calculations and tables, compels us to
| admit that constancy of rotation of the earth is
incompatible with solar influence.