Middletown transcript., 1870-04-16
Scientific department.
NO INTERNAL MOLTEN MASS.


The geologists are in trouble. They
canuot settle the foundation principles of
their favorite science. After long and
hard struggle between the aqueous and
igneous theories of the earth's formation,
it was generally supposed that the igneous
had won the day, at least so far as relates
to the order of their worship. IF anything
was supposed to be settled in geology, it
was that the centre of the earth has been,
or is, in molten state, and that the gran
lite rocks are unstratifed, and give evidence
of being formed under great pressure and
intense heat. Earthquakes and volcanoes
were referred to as proofs of this great in
ternal heat, and the protrusion of trap
rock as proof of the molten state. On
this granite as solid foundation, the
stratiied rocks were supposed to rest,
though of necessity the order is generally
disturbed by the long action of subterra-
mean forces.
But the foundation seems at last falling
through. The aqueous theory has won a
new triumph, and is driving its rival from
the field Granite is found to be not of
igneous, but of aqueous formation. Some
years ago Mr.. Evan Hopkins, of Eng
land, broached new theory, and attenip-
ted to prove, on scientific principles, that
granite was formed not horizontally, but
vertically, and not by heat and pressure,
but by solution and magnetism. His
speculations at first attracted little atten-
ton, aud excited indeed much derision,
but they have gradually attained the as
sent of many masters in the science.
Prof. Thompson, by rigid mathemati-
cal reasoning from well-known physical
laws, also proved that the existence of a
liquid ocean in the interior of the earth
was simply impossible. He declared it to
be physical necessity that 'the interior
must be even more rigid than the superb
cial parts.
Leading geologists are frankly surren-
dering the old theory, and Prof. Ansted,
in paper read before the British Associ-
alton in 1869, says:-"Geologists until
recently, have spoken of granite as pri-
mitive rock, as the nucleus of the earth
and as having been from time to time
crupted, playing an important part in the
general disturbances by which the general
framework of the earth is supposed to have
been constructed. The observations Of
Daubree and Sorby show that all true
granite has been elaborated with water,
under great pressure, at temperature be-
low melting heat that it has neither been
elected nor has it formed a framework.
There are GRANTEES of all ages and of mary
kinds. Numerous observations show that
granite alternate with and passes into STRAIT
flied rocks, and must in such cases be
stratifed rock, and that its production
does not necessarily involve destruction
and obliteraton of all the strati6ed rocks
with which it is associated. This view of
the nature of granite will greatly affect
the theories of geology"
This is no longer matter of theory,
but of demonstration. Granite can not
have an igneous origin. Chemists testify
that the laws of chemical action disprovc
it. The presence of black lead in granite
and gneiss is inconsistent with melting
heat, for black lead is pure carbon, and
would have been reduced to ashes by heat
and in turn would have also reduced the
mica and hornblende, as carbon always
{ operates on silicates in blast furnaces.
The chemists also testify that if the gran
ties were once in melted state, the mag
netic iron ore in them would have united
with the silicates, forming vitreous in
stead of a crystalline rock. Attempts have
been made to resolve granite by heat into
| what was regarded as its original state
but they failed utterly. 1t would moi
melt; its crystals gradually decomposed, oil
, turned into black glass, confirming the
opinions of the chemical critics.
The laws of gravity also bear witness a
gainst the igneous origin. AS the Annual
e Of Scientific Discovery says" If granite
$ were once in a molten condition, then, a
it cooled in the first place, quartz mus
have crystalised out, and would have
D sunk down through the still molten mass
8 while feldspar and mica must have crysta
: Used at much later stage Of cooling, a
o the necessary consequence of their differ
ent degrees of fusibility.
As last and conclusive stage of proc
: that granite is of aqueous and not of ig
s neous origin, chemists have succeeded il
b producing feldspar, the base of granite
1 from solutions OF kaolin and alkaline sill
$ Gates in heated water, and as it is general,
: conceded that mica and quartz, the othe
f principal ingredients, are aqueous deposits
the demonstration may be regarded a
complete.
The science of geology, therefore, will
need thorough reconstruction. If tn
$ igneous origin of granite is given up, tn
e idea of molten mass at the earth's centr
y will also be abandoned. If this intens
y central heat be exploded the argument TO
p a gradual cooling of the earth from fire
r mist will limp badly, and the Laplace the
e ory of physical developement will lose al
: probability. And, still further, if tn
s GRANTEES are not the most ancient forma
d tions, but are often of modern dates, in
: termingled with rock of the secondary o
even tertiary period, it may be necessar.
: to make long deductions from geologica
!, timetables.
On the whole, we may safely conclud
that it is not wise for biologists to dis