THE 



EDINBURGH NEW 

 PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL. 



ON THE THERMOMETRICAL STATE OF THE TERRESTRIAL GLOBE. 



By M. Arago. 



Is there any variation in the thermometrical state of the globe 

 in the long succession of ages ? Do these changes affect the 

 whole and entire mass of the globe ; or, are they confined to its 

 surface only ? In either alternative, is there proof that the 

 changes of temperature have been appreciable, within the period 

 to which the records of history extends ? 



TJiere are few inquiries which, for a considerable number of 

 years, have more largely engaged the successful study of philo- 

 sophers and geometricians than the above. They closely con- 

 nect themselves with the future history of our race. They 

 lead to plausible explanations of a great number of singular 

 geological phenomena. They most naturally, therefore, attract 

 attention. The last of them, concerning the change of climate, 

 has at no distant period received much consideration, and this is 

 the problem which, on the present occasion, we would desire to 

 solve ; at all events, to investigate, in all its bearings. Our ob- 

 ject then will be, to present a sketch, as complete and elemen- 

 tary as possible, of the results which science has recorded up 

 to the present time. 



VOL. XVI. NO. XXXII. APRIL 1834. P 



