San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-06-29
The Age or tue Earth, Accor1,n. :
Prof. Pr0ctnr- e

Science has given us very much -,
satisfactory information as 70 s- on
than to time. We have first tha 'pee
OF our own earth to use as n bas; %l,
measuring the planets around ne 'S y o
got an idea how this is accomnl;.his
picture the earth as globe one inoh Va'
diameter, the sun three yards in d.. IN
ter, and the distance between ,La
300yards. This will convey mncS Two Two
ter idea OF the difference in size berv"oS..
the earth and the sun than if Wa Sss,a
la the stupendous figures which a.'
actually correct. From this dim;nr,;raOV
sphere astronomers have to survev .a
.un and the whole solar system ana Iue
will readily DO seen that the ans,a.
upon which we make our measuremen,'
Lust be so minute that observai;ons
inust be most carefully made, for Ms
smallest error would make q differen"s
from correct results of many miles
In measuring time we have NO bo,;,
to work upon. If we ever know nos,
lively the age of the earth ON
movements would be greatly fac;I;
lated. All estimates are comparat;val,
doubtful, although geologists tell n,
that there are certain conditions in tbo
crust of the earth which have taken sncS
snd such terms of years to form. anj
from their deductions 1 think moi
crate estimate of the age of the earsl
would be 500,000,000 years, and this !,
generally accepted by the most en-,
nent biologists. Even this is uncer.
ain, however, as, the changes in the
'arth's crust having ali been formed bv
the action of the sun, we do not know
Ilat that action has been uniform
Throughout all these years. We know
HAT before the crust formed the cart
vas in a molten condition, but fnallv
ooled off and became solid. Now, SUI
posing the molten mass was at heat O
1900 degrees centigrade, and had /,
cool down to 200, the highest rate Of
which life could exist, it would have
aiken, according to scientists, at least
100000 900 years; add 10000, 1000 years
for the time during which the earth
was contracting, and then 10O,O0O,OOO
Gears which the crust has taken |,
form, and we Lave total of 50000O,OOl
years. The solar system as at presen
understood corresponds with this idea
the age of the earth and we work or
he basis that the smaller the planet
dc older il is, and in the cooling.of
process the molten mass contracts and
. grows smaller and smaller. The moon
believed to have passed through all
the stages which tho earth has under.
gone, and, being considerably older,
las experienced many changes which
re earth may expect to experience.
Jupiter, on the other hand, being much
lsrger than the earth, is believed to be
.nu-h younger, and it is estimated tina,
i will not reach the present condition
&c the earth for 5000, 100000 OF years.
We find that Venus, being nearly
onr own age, is surrounded by atmos
,here, and has oceans and seas some
thing like our own, and we may call
DER our sister planet. The earth will
constantly get smaller and smalle,
Until it gets to the size of Venus, and
TOIl tuuU W blO 6lAO nhSt SOhA1VAoA w
he moon. Now, let us see what oh
.ervers have found out about the moon
We find that it is desert, and as desc
late Place as can be imagined! 1t IL
covered with craters and seams, AM
se find declivitics which show sign
# having been filed by large bodies
later. They are empty now, however
nd there is no water to be discovered
N the moons surface. 1t is believes
nat this water has reiterated into th'
bowels of the planet. for the moon is
planet the same as any other. Their.
being no atmosphere surrounding it o,
itself would render life impossible, and
re may expect that after the lapse o.
aany millions of years our oceans vii
Try up and the earth become uninbab
table by any living being.