The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-11

~ Of terrestrial ATTITUDES. Ii has bee
SHOWN that the ATTITUDES Of Berlin, P0tsdsn
and Prague diminished TO the exteut Of ha
a second Of arc from August. 1889, 10 Eel
ruary, 1890. and that the latitude of BeTli
increased fourtenths OF a second from Apr
TO August. 1890. IL will be observed tina
| the whole extent Of the variation amount
10 about one second Of arc. and that tn
| phenomenon is periodical, the latitude in
creasing from winter 10 summer and de
creasing from summer 10 winter. stated II
/ another form, this variation is just the SAM
as il Berlin were about one hundred fec
nearer the north pole in summer than II
winter. Observations made in other conn
tries. some Of them as long as thirty or fort,
years ago, have given similar results
80 that there appears to be no doubt respect
ing this singular variation OF latitude. Tue
explanation that naturally occurs is thai
the edrtb's axis moves slightly under the
influence Of some disturbing cause. Among
such CAUSES that are possible IL the trans
ference Of large quantities Of water or OF All
from one part Of the earth's surface b an
other. II the Southern oceans were deepen
ed at the eXper Sc Of those OF the Northern
hemisphere, the axis OF the earth would be
shifted a little in consequence, and II the
air should flow from one hemisphere TO the
other 80 as 10 produce a great inequality IN
the distribution OF the atmospheric pres
sure. a slight change might be noted in tue
position Of The axis.
In truth. the delicacy with which the great
orbs Of the solar system are poised is one Of
the most wonderful and interesting things
about them. The earth ~ compelled by
many disturbing influences TO devate now
this way ard now that from the even course
~ its eiliptical orbit. The moon pulls il
gently with never constant force. and II
0heys the slightest solicitation ei It's
satellite; Venus and the giant Jupiter, and
al The planets great ard small, have iull
license 10 hasten and TO delay IL on lis way
90 roll il and turn it as much as they can
while il floats along; and 10 every one II
smoothly Yields obedience, repaying their
attention in kind. But these are all distur-
Dances from without, while the suggested
movement OF the axis. owing 10 displace-
ment Of the fluids on the surface Of the globe
must. Of course. have It's origin in the earth
itself From this SOFT OF disturbance II
suffers but slightly, If at all. ltbas been sug-
sested that the geological evidence of The for
mcr existence OF tropical forms Of life in tue
polar regions could easily be explained bY
suppCsing that a great alteration had taken
place ina The position OF the earth's axis; but
against the suppOsitiOn has always been ar
raycd the We'll known tendency OF bOdl
turning around lis own axis TO preserve UNI
altered its plane Of rotation. smaller
changes, however than that which would
be necessary 20 account for the geological
paradox referred 10, might readily occur;
and. as we have seen, a very slight change
would be all that is needed 10 iii IN was the
observed alterations of latitude. Whatever
the true explanation may be-. the discovery
Of such imperceptible motions as the appa-
rent turning Of a globe 5000 miles in CIR
conference a few yards one way or the
other atlcsts both the wonderful accuracy
of modern astronomical observations and
toe marvellous dclicacy Of the vast ma
chisery Of the uniycrse.-New York sun.