Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-09-30
Underground Streams.

ing the nature of parts of the earth
interior has just been promulgated by
Professor F. H. King, agricultural
physicist of the University Of Wiscon-
sin. 1t is TO the effect that the sub
surface of the human footstool Is inter-
penetrated by water necessarily in
motion; that there is a vast network
of underground rivers, brooks, streams
pools and rivulets constantly flowing
in various directions, some shallow,
some deep, some near the surface, some
far below the outer crust-all of them
having a definite tidal motion and all
subject to lunar influence. The theory
is not based on pure supposition, but
certain tests and observations have
been made which give legitimate bear
ing to it, in the eyes of Professor
Kings associates. Professor Hallock,
of the physics department of Columbia
College, when asked for his opinion of
the theory, said he considered it very
ingenious and quite within the range
of probability.
Professor King has even made auto
matte records which show that ground
water is constantly in a state of oscll-
lation, which may extend over a long
period, may be seismal, or may corre-
spond with the high and low baromet-
ric waves associated with the move
ments of storms. He has made a series
of records which show that the surface
of the ground water in a well Is much
more responsive TO atmospheric changes
of temperature than Is the barometer
itself. He has also found that during
stormy weather the movements ofsur-
face water are so complex and rapid
so short in period-that rapidly
moving cronograph is required to sep
arate them.
Data from different wells and springs
seem to suggest that there exists be-
meath the surface of the earth an i'm
mense tidal system, which is affected
by the moon, and which rises and falls,
or at least moves about, with as much
regularity as the tides of the ocean.
1t is not stated whether there is any
intimate connection between these un-
derground streams and the great
streams and bodies of water which ex-
ist on the surface, except that they are
both governed by lunar influence, and
that the natural process of percolation
may indirectly connect them with each
other. It is a known fact that the va
ration of water from springs under
barometric changes is very great, and
the surface of Lake Mendoza has been
shown, even in winter, when covered
with ice, to be subject to extremely
complex oscillations, some of which ap-
pear to be barometric.
1t is a contention Of Professor King
that these underground waters en-
brace a worldwide zone. They are
not, therefore, confined to the United
States alone, but undermine the sur
faces of Europe, Asia, Africa and Aus
tralia as well. Professor King Is
working to perfect map of the un-
derground streams Of the world, and
as soon as he has finished we shall
doubtless know more Of what the IN
terror of the earth is like. The sub
stitution Of theory to the effect that
the interior Of the earth is occupied
by large bodies Of water is only anoth-
er refutation Of the old theory Of the
molten character Of the earth interior.
Years ago it was thought that the GEN.
ter of the earth was a molten mass
which was the result Of the former
geological condition. 1t was held that
the earth had progressed from its
original entirely molten state had
cooled off on the surface, and was
gradually cooling off toward the CEN
ter, but that there must, in the nature
of things, yet remain large portion
of the interior which was yet in mol
ten condition. During late years
however, scientists, while holding tins
view to be in a measure correct, yet
contend that the process of cooling is
very much more advanced than it was
formerly supposed to be. They con-
tend that the center Of the earth ID
very hot, but that it is not precisely a
molten mass.
The possibilities Of Professor Kings
theory are very great, and from a SCI
entifc standpoint his Investigations
are very valuable, and tie final results
are being eagerly awaited by all sci
entists.- Warrington Star.
Mr.. Figg-There's no telling how a
boy may grow up. There is Tommy,
for example. Who knows what he may