The Washington critic., 1890-02-09
SCIENCE.

higher speed than is attained by any
dynamo made by man, writes Jacob
Reese. BY virtue Of the dynamic action Of
the earth, electricity is drawn into 10. Aud
as the dynamic action is largely due to its
velocity, and the velocity being greatest at
the equator, the dynamic effect viii be
greatest at that point Hence the greatest
amount Of electricity will be drawn to the
earth at the equator and the least at the
poles.
Temperature being the measure of mole
cular activity las weight is the measure Of
matter) the temperature will be highest at
the equator because the molecular activity
is greatest at that point; and so the temper
ature will be less and less as we pass from
the equator toward the north or the south
poles, because the peripherical velocity
grows less and the dynamite action Is dimin-
ished. The phenomena we call sun rays
are produced by the electric currents
drawn to the earth by its dynamite action.
Matter per SC is imponderable and inert;
1t is endowed with energy by the physical
forces, and is thus made electrical. The
different elementary bodies are endowed
with energy in different degrees, hence
they vary in their electric capacity. The
phenomena of weight and specific gravity
are caused by the dynamic action OF the
earth drawing electricity to it, and conse-
quently drawing all matter containing cleo
tricity, and as the matter is difTerentially
endowed with electric power, the dynamic
effect in drawing it to the earth will vary
accordingly. We thus find that the differ
ence in the weight and the specific gravity
of matter is caused by the dynamic action
of the earth.
Matter may be divided: the end of physi-
cal division is the molecule. Sir William
Thompson. an expert in molecular physics,
says that ''there are nineteen million mil
lion million molecules in a cubic centimeter
of any gas.n From this we learn that the
particles that compose the atmosphere are
infinitely small. The dynamic action of
the earth drawing the electric sun current
through the atmosphere forces these minute
molecules into such a high state of activity
that they exhibit the phenomenon we call
sunlight. Sunlight being produced by the
molecular activity of our atmosphere is
confined to it, and darkness prevails be-
tweenour atmosphere and the sun.
The electricity drawn into the earth by
its dynamite action increases the molecular
activity Of the material, and as the electric
currents approach the centre of the earth
they focus, and by their aggregated action
the molecular activity of the earth is In
creased to that velocity that exhibits incan-
descence. Thus we find that the heat of
the earth is not produced nor is it sus
tanned by the combination of fuel, such as
coal, oil or natural gas, but it is generated
and sustained by the dynamic action of the
earth.
The greatest peripherical velocity and
the greatest dynamic action being at the
equator, the greatest amount of incandes-
cent matter will be found beneath the
torrid zone, and for this reason volcanic
action will be confined to that locality.
The normal path Of energy is from the
higher to the lower degree of activity,
hence the electricity drawn to the earth by
its dynamic action passes from the higher
peripherical velocity to the lower velocity
near the axis, and from thence out at OF
near the North Pole and from there to the
North Star, thus producing the Northern
lights and an Arctic open polar sea, fol
the electric current passing out at the
North Pole will put the water into such 6
high state of activity as will prevent its
pherical velocity of the earth at that 10
cality.
PHENOMENA OF NATURE.--There are
many phenomena of nature which are az
iDexplicable to-day rs they were thou
sand years ago, notwithstanding the won
derful advances that have been mad,
within that time in physical science
One of those unprobed mysteries is th,
apparent irritability of certain plants
Electricity was at one time supposed to b,
the cause of this senstiyeness, but it Is nov
admitted by electricians that the thing Il
not borne out by the results of their expert
ments.
Touch leaf or the Sensitive Plant ant
| it instantly shrinks from the contact, ant
shuts up like miniature fan. The move
ment seems so much like the effect o
hardly believe tits not of feeling. The ex
| citment appears to run along the fibres II
the same way that sensation is transmitte,
| through the nerves of an animal, and tn
mechanism through which it operates
bears striking analogy to that of th
nervous system.
There are several kinds of flowers which
| when touched at certain points OF their In
terror organization, by fly, or bee, o
other wandering insect, Instantly close thei
| leaves, and catch the intruder as in trap
! The blossom of the barbery tree is wonder
fully sensitive. Tickle the base of one o
the stamens with even a horse-hair, an,
| presto! it springs forward and strike
against the pistil of the flower like ham
mer. 1t is as if you had touched the hair
trigger of a fire.arm and let it of. Their
are, also, species of plants, akin to til
moses, that dart their seeds into the air b
means of a spiral spring inclosed in tube
the mechanism being very similar to tina
of a 'jack-in-the-box." Then there ar
zoophytes, which not only catch smal
marine animals, but actually convert ther
into nutriment by means of organs whic
may not improperly be called digestige.
No theory has yet been propounded
science which satisfactorily explains thes
phenomena. We know that vegetable
Sleep: that through their veins, if we ma
so call them, circlulates fluid, which pei
forms offices resembling those of animi
blood; that some of them simulate th
movements which we associate with th
idea of sensation so closely that one is a
most compelled to believe them conscious
But here our knowledge ends. The cause
of these symptoms of animation in thing
we call inanlmates, are among the things
Heaven and earth that lie too deep for hi
man penetration.
METEoRIC SHowERs.-In answer to seV
eral questions regarding the frequency {
meteoric showers, Professor Very recent
said to Pittsburg Dispatch reporter:
"There are certain epochs in the yei
when particular meteoric showers are du
Assiduous observation has given list
nearly 100 such showers in the course of
year, each of which may be expected on
certain date from certain part of Il
heavens.
'Particular showers have characterist
features; that is, some meteors are vel
swift; Others rather slow. Some vani'
and leave no trace, while others are a
companied by tails and leave streaks aft
the nucleus has disappeared. Few OF the'
showers last more than one or two day
| thnnnh thera arn snmn nsfances whern it