Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-04-15
JEFFERSON COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA SATURDAY APRIL

pyrotechnics, that they are situated
near to the suns equator. Former
phenomena Of this kind was confined 10
the temperate zones. To talk of tenn
perate zones in body rs intensely hot
as the sun seems absure3, bat this Is the
most convenient method OF locating the
position of the previous action. In
other words, the spots or craters OF ac-
ton have hitherto been confined to
zone distant 400 to 45o from the
equator. Prof. Leverrier thinks that
this phenomenal solar disturbance IS IN
a large measure responsible for the eX-
traordinary temperture of the past
winter. ''If," says the professor, you
touch the hand Of any one with a pm
it will be appreciable in fraction OF Il
second when the hand will be drawn
back. If | had an arm long enouSl to
reach to the sun, and should put my
fingers in the solar flame and burn
them there, it would be 100 years be
fore | should experience the pain, and
100 years before | could remove my
hand. Such is the distance of the sun;
and vet across that space, by some
agency unknown to science, bat what
is vaguely termed gravity, the earth,
responds, to every impulse OF the solar
surface" Prof. Leverrier concluded
his remarks with the remarkable sug-
ges,ion: 1T seems to me, if have ap'
proximately estimated the gigantic
force of this solar disturbance, that we
may expect a series of fierce tornadoeS
to sweep over and devastate certain
portions of the earth's surface in the
immediate future" How accurate this
vaticinaticn has proved our experience
during the present month sufileiertIy
demonstrates.
An Austrian scientist, commenting
on Prof. Leverriers observations, re.
marks: "Whether this extraordinary
solar action is due to the motions OF
Mercury, Venus and Jupiter, as De Ia
Rue supposes, or TO an organic change
in the suns constitution, dose not at
present appear The spots near the
suns equator arc undoubtedly cavities,
but whether they are holes piercing the
actual body Of the orb is another ques-
ton. 1t might almost seem that under
the cloudy surface of the sun their is
an ocean ofliquid, and slags are from at
present in this ocean, aud there Is
A BLOWING OUT OF NATTER
which gives rise to the extraordinary
penumbral phenomena witnessed by
Prof. Leyerricr There is undoubtedly
an immense uulerfeed from the ont
side towards the center, but whether
by rush downward from the center OF
the focii of disturbance can not be de
termined. The present action, at aIl
events, has had the effect of showerIng
upon the earth large additional IN
crement of solar heat So far the et-
feet has not been Objectionable, but III
the immediate future the consequences
may prove disastrous The sun has
emitted ali enormous amount OF extra
heat, and this emission may JeopardIze
his very existence, as well as the stab
ilty of the system he controls. by
comparing, as it were, bis own vitality,
his reciprocal action upon our globe
will be materially diminished. The
restraint hitherto exercised upon the
molten ocean that surges within our
planet has been chiefly solar, and if this
influence has been lessened, as there
are too many grounds to believe, a SER
les of terrific earthquakes IN regions
hitherto comparatively free from them
may inauourate final aud comprehen.
sve convulsion."
An eminent mathematician in this
city was recently asked what were the
probabilities of the coincidence above
alluded TO being accidental. After a
long and intricate calculation, into
which the dtferential and integral cal
culus largely entered, he announced the
result in the following terms: "The
Interpretation of prophecy places the
eud of the world in 1876; the induc-
tons of science place the end Of the
world at no great distance Of time; the
Interpretation of the Egyptian hierog-
lyphics, which have correctly exhibit.
ed the mathematical laws of the solar
system long anterior to their discovery
by man, pretgure terrible calamity to
the human race, in 1875; the chances,
then, against this coincidence being ac-
cidental are about four millions TO one.
sacWe have received the April No.
of the American Farm r, and find its