The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-08-01

mine the rigidity Of the earth are intensely inter
esting Science has long needed to know the
physical properties of this globe 1t is impossi-
bic to learn this directly, the deepest mines
yet sunk penetrate less than two miles below the
surface, distance proportionately greater
than the thickness Of the varnish q twO-foOt
globe. The interior of the earth is believed to
De intensely hot. This theory Is based the
fact that molten lava is thrown forth by erupting
volcanoes Also. in descending mine. there is a
rise in temperature, amounting to so degrees per
mile of descent If this rate Of increase is con-
slant the temperature at only 100 miles down is
above the melting point of all substances under
conditions they exist the surface of the
earth. However, despite the high temperature,
the interior of the earth may be held in solid
state by the tremendous pressure to which it is
subjected.
Under the now accepted theory of the celestial
mechanics. scientists assume that a heavenly
body is held in its course by the attractive force
exerted by the other heavenly bodies all sides
OF it. In this way is determined the earth's
course around the sun and the motion Of the
entire solar system through space Assuming
that the earth is not solid mass, scientists have
long struggled to discover how it resisted the at
tractve forces exerted by other planets and stars
whether as a v1scous mass or as perfectly
elastic body.
They have long known that the earth did
sist these forces in some degree. The ocean
tides which sweep our shores twice daily
proof OF this. It has long been known that the
tides caused by the attraction Of the sun and
the moon. If the earth offered no resistance to
this attraction, the whole earth would respond
quickly to it and there would be tides On
the other hand, If the earth perfectly rigid
body it would resist this attraction completely;
and the tides would reach their maximum height
The amount that the tides fall short of their
theoretical maximum height would measure the
degree of rigdity which the earth possesses.
The next step to determine the actual
height Of the tides. This long proved the STUN
bling block. If shore lines perfectly straight
and the floor of the ocean perfectly level, the
height of the tides could be measured directly;
but crooked shore lines and shelving beaches re-
sist the motion of the tides and make it impos
sible to determine their height with the accuracy
demanded by science.
Sir George Darwin made elaborate experiments
to determine the height Of the tides, but
obliged to give up the problem in despair Pro
lessor Nicholson solved this difficulty by laying
two lengths of pipe, each FIVE hundred feet long
and measuring the rise and fall Of the water in
them. One length of pipe was laid north and
south and the other length east and west, IN
order to measure the tides in both directions.
The pipes were buried six feet under ground to
obtain a uniform temperature.
At both ends OF the pipes tees were inserted
having glass windows for observatory purposes
The pipes were half filed with water; and the
changes in the height of the water were obtained
by measuring through microscope the distance
between pointer inserted Just under the surface
Of the water and the image Of the pointer reflect
ed above the water.