The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-23

bic error. Even at the smallest dis
tanoes' and the largest scale, the diator-
tloh would always be less than if taken
from convex surface.
ACCESS can be provided much more
easily 10 every part of the surface of
ooncaVe than to that of convex globe.
VI course, there must be a tower in the
posl0ion OF the polar axis. This would
DO as small In diameter as possible con-
sis'ent With stability, and with affording
space lof central life and it would be
provided with series of outside galleries
supported on slender columns. at regular
intervals for affording views of the
whole sarface of the globe This general
inspection might bo supplemented by
Dlnooular glasses with large fields of view
anu OF varying powers, by means OF
which all the details of particular dis
tricts could be examined. For most
visitors this would be sufficient; but &C
cess to the surface itself would be re-
CURED, both for purposes of work upon
H. Tor photographing limited areas at
moderate distances, and for close study
OF details for special purposes. This
might be provided without any perma-
nent occupation of the space between the
central tower and the modelled surface.
Simplicity and economy would be in
sured by forming the globe of equal hexa-
gonal cells of cast steel, at such dimen-
sons and form that when bolted together
they would form perfect sphere.
Regarding the necessary size Of such a
globe, hlr. Wallace thinks there is room
for much difference of opinion. He is
disposed to think that the fclle Of to
too large, and that for every scientific
and educational purpose, and even as a
popular exhibition, half that scale wunld
be ample. The representation of minute
details of topography. due to human
agency, and, therefore, both liable to
change and of no scientific Importance
-suoh rs roads, paths, houses, and in
olosures-would be out of place on suoh u
globe, except chat Towns and villages
and main lines of communication might
be unnbtrusively indicated, And for nde-
Quately exhibiting every important ply
Biographical feature-the varied undula-
tions of thu surface Ia all their modifoa-
lions of character, rivers and streams
with their cascades and rapids, their
gorges and alluvial plains, lakes and
streams, swamps and peat boys, woods,
forests, and scattered woodlands, pastures
sand dunes and deserts, and every other
features which oharaoteriZes the earth's
surface, scale of to 200, 600. or even Of
to 260 900, would be quite sufficient.
Considering the difficulty, and expense
of constructing any such globe, and the
certainty that the experience gained dur
ing the first attempt would lead to i'm
proved methods should larger one be
deemed advisable, there can, he thinks,
be little doubt that tho smaller scale sug-
gested should be adopted. This would
give an internal diameter of 1877 feet, and
scale of almost exactly quarter Of an
inch to mile. 1t would combine gran
deur of general effect, scientific accuracy,
| and educational Importance with COM
parative economy and facility of CON
strnction which would greatly tend to its
realization. 1t is with the hope of chow,
ing the Importance and practioability OF
such work that MI. Wallace has laid
before the public this modification of the
proposal of M. Reclus, to whom belongs
| the merit of the first suggestion and pub
| LEGATION. Now that Great Wheels and
Eiffel Towers are constructed, and are
found to pay, he hopes that scheme
like this, which, in addition to possess
| ing the attractions of novelty and grand.
eur, would be also grea5 educational
| instrument, may be thought worthy Of
the attention both of the Semitic and tie
commercial world.