The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1900-02-24

1t is rather difficult to understand
how anyone could conceive such a
notion as that earthquakes and vol
canoes are the effects of an incandes-
cent nucleus, or to violent effort of
molten matter to free itself by at
tempting to burst through an ex-
tremely thin film upon which the
Creator saw fit to place an organic
kingdom after it had become cool,
1t is inconsistent to suppose that Il
globe of water together with other
substance with which it is combined
could have retained within it a per-
manent molten and fused state. The
doctrine partakes too much of the
old orthodox one of eternal punish
ment and perhaps would never. have
been heard of except for the few vol
canoes that occasionally eject partly
melted rocks during the period of in
flammation, Out OF nearly two hun
bred known active volcanoes there
are not a dozen that are purely ig-
neous, producing only melted rocks
or vitreous lava, while mud yolca-
noes with gaseous exhalations are
the most numerous. These gases
are principally of the earburetted
and sulphuretted hydrogen order,
and the eruptions railways accom-
panied by unmistakable electrical
manifestations. One of the strong
est arguments advanced in support
of the igneous doctrine is increase of
temperature as we proceed toward
the earth's centre. This saving has
not gone without contradiction and
instances are known where the re-
verse has been experienced. The
greatest depth to which man has yet
penetrated does not greatly exceed a
mile, and several instances have oc-
Cured where wells that were drilled
for oil ceased to flow on account OF
accumulation of ice at the bottom
of the hole Since this must have
been due to violent current under
certain conditions of escaping gas,
such a circumstance would have no
more value as evidence of internal
cold than the one advanced to prove
interior fusion, 1t must be consid-
cred that wherever an opening is
made air will enter and that its oxy-
gen coming in contact with mineral
acids sets up an action that produces
heat and even combustion. In such
an event there undoubtedly would
be an interior temperature greater
than that at the surface. In mines
containing much oyrtes OF iron
there sometimes on this account is
great heat in fact there once was a
theory that volcanoes, earthquakes
and even hghtnings were due to ex-
isting pyrites.
The portions of the earth's surface
nearest its centre are the deepest
places of the oceans, but we are in
formed that temperature diminishes
from the sea level downward and
that in the tropics the range is from
80 to 80 degrees. Like with the IN
crease of cold as we approach sun
ward, toward a so-called ponderous
fiery mass, we here encounter an lr-
reconcilable circumstance calling for
an explanation very different from
some Of those daily taught in our
colleges and schools to account for
physical phenomena. Explanations
that have generally been diffused in
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print to account for light, ~Aeat
sound weather, &c. are SO utterly
at variance with reason and observ-
ed facts that each individual would
appear justified in thinking and con-
Guiding regarding such matters for
himself. The means at Natures
hands appear to be few and simple
and based upon infallible laws. Re-
suits, however, under varying phases
and conditions, are manifold.
Of all known universal forces that
of electricity or magnetism is the
greatest. 1t is present in all sub
stances and unquestionably the pri-
NAL cause for so-called chemical ac-
ton and all activity and lie which
we observe throughout the mineral,
vegetable and animal Kingdoms.
Admit this energy as being the all
pervading and active principle
throughout nature and we can far
more reasonably comprehend some