Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-18


an angle Of IL degrees with the equator. The
edges OF the earth shell are called verges and
their frigid portions toward the equator are
known as the icy hoop. The verges occupy
about Is degrees, and il delineated on a man
would show only the outer half Of the verge
| All the polar regions upon the present mar
would be out of sight. The meridian lines
extend at right angles to the equator as far as
the outer edges of the verges and then wind
round along the surface of the vergos termi-
| hating at the points directly under the highest
| parts of the verges both north and south.
The line which marks the location of the
apex OF the northern verge begins at point in
Lapland about GU degrees north and 20 de-
grees east from London on u meridian crossing
| Spitzbergen, whence 1t passes southwest across
| the Atlantic ocean and the southern part of
| Greenland through Hudsons bay and over the
continent to the Pacific ocean near Cooks in
! let thence across the Fox Islands to a point
| about Sc degrees north and I60 degrees west
| nearly south of Behring's straits; then it passes
over the Pacific. crossing the south end of KANT
chatka, continuing northwest through Liberia
entering Europe across the Urgl mountains in
latitude IS degrees north, and passing near the
Arctic coast, over the mouth of the White sea
to the point of starting.
FORMED TO FIT PHENOMENA.
This theory was formed to harmonize with
phenomena as its author saw them and all the
reports Of arctic explorations which he could
procure, SO that much that may appear ridicu-
lous in the theory is duo to the explorers and
arises from u prejudiced Interpretation OF
their observations and reports.
The peculiar contour of the verge was made
10 tit IN some degree the charac eristics OF the
isothermal belts of both hemispheres The
region OF the verges must DO the coolest parts
OF the earth's surface, because being more
convex. they diverge instead of converging the
suns rays, that the temperature of any
given part of the earth's surface depends as
well upon its proximity to the verge as to the
equator. For instance, Paris. 40 degrees north.
Is about the same distance from the verge as
Washington, In latitude 80 degrees north, and
their climate Is nearly alike,
The report of Capt. Parry that the highest
altitude OF the sun Is not at noon in high lati-
tudes, but at some time after; the elongation
of the sensible horizon from east to west and
its contraction from north to SOUTH as stated
by Capt. Ross; the appearance of the sun and
moon when near the horizon; the heightened
twilight, and the dip OF the magnetic needle
are made to add links to the chain of reason
ing which eliminated in this theory with
strengthening proofs in the southwark migra-
ton of arctic birds and beasts, the shoals of
Notwithstanding herring. the driftwood on
the northern shores of Iceland, Norway and
Siberia and the discovery OF coal in the arctic
regions.
FOLLOWED UP BY HIS SON.
The captains son, following in his fathers
preted recently reported facts SO as to accord
with this theory. One of these is a report of
Capt. Hall from latitude 81 degrees 80 minutes
saying: II find this n much warmer country
than l expected, and it abounds with life and
seals, game. geese, ducks. musk cattle, deer,
foxes and all kinds of wadng birds, " which,
added to the statement that seventy miles fur
Their north Hall saw an open sea with dark MINI
bus clouds oyerhanSinS, causes the son to be-
Heve that had Hall not been poisoned he would
soon have entered the internal world. Another
fact cited is the statement OF Norlenskiold that
after passing so degrees, or the magnetic pole.
he found a timbered country, large rivers and
an abundance of animal life, while an English
explorer, Capt. Virgins, found this country and
made the acquaintance of the inhabitants, who
spoke Hebrew. \ Mr.. Seebohm. who accom-
panied the expedition, took ride on horse
back with several others through this new
country He reported that everything very
cheap. which could be explained by supposins
that their market was China.
A LONG FORGOTTEN SATIRE.
This last name calls to mind Capt Adam
Seaborn, who wrote "Symzonia; a Voyage of
Discovery" New York. 1S2O-a remarkably
clever satire on Symmes theory. While care
fully and accurately detailing this theory and
describing the precautions for the voyage and
the exact manner of its making he induIges in
general and specific satire on many OF tho
customs and beliefs of the "Externals' as he
narrateS those of the "Internals." A few ex-
tracts from this rarely read book will give an
idea OF its character: Zone man proposed
to be admitted to the Order of Worthless by the
title Wise, because he had given evidence of
superior Imagination and ingonAity, he having
fancIed that he had discovered by studying the
laws of matter and motion thai the Intervals
were inhabitants of the concave side OF a hol-
low sphere, and reasoning from analogy that
the convex or outer side of the sphere must be
inhabited by people enjoying a wider range
of action and more extended views OF objects
floating in unlimited space. The
council unanimously rejected the application.
censured him for troubling them with the
dreams of maniac and expressed the opinion
that to suppose the outside of such asworld to
be inhabited was as absurd as to suppose men
to dwell On the outside of their houses"
Another man was proposed Wise for de-
yislng a scheme 10 substitute in place of tokens
a system OF promlssory obligations. to be is
sued by an ASSOCIATION of individuals who
should be always bound to redeem them. This
plan. he contended. would greatly facilitate
exchanges and contribute to the convenience
OF government. His scheme promptly con-
demned as a device to cheat people, by causing
perpetual fluctuations in the nominal price OF
things"
Another was proposed for admission for
composing q code of written laws. The coun-
Gil rejected the scheme, saying that public
opinion, the established principles and habits
OF the people, the prevalent sense of rectl-
tude and beneyolence, had been AMI still was
sufficient. Laws, ii in accordance with these
principles could add nothing to their efficacy,
and II inconsistent with them, they could not
be enforced"
Disregarding this slight depression we have
shown IN outline the nature of this theory.
and to the credit of Its propounder it must be
SAID that none other so preposterous has had
the support OF SO many recorded statements
j. HOWARD GORE.