290 SEE— TEMPERATURE, SECULAR COOLING [April 20, 



6. Therefore it incontestably follows that the explosive vapor 

 operating in earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain formation and kindred 

 phenomena connected with the physics of the globe, comes from the 

 secular leakage of the ocean bottoms, effected through the earth's 

 crust, composed of some fifteen miles of solid rock like granite. 



7. Accordingly it necessarily follows also that Daubree's experi- 

 ments are applicable to layers of rock twenty miles thick, when the 

 water is subjected to the great fluid pressure constantly operating 

 in the deepest oceans. Our fundamental proposition is thus proved 

 quite independently of Daubree's experiments. In fact by simply 

 observing the phenomena of nature one might infer that such experi- 

 ments as those made by Daubree would be possible under good 

 laboratory conditions. 



8. In the case of our thinly encrusted planet so largely covered 

 with water the natural arrangement between the overlying oceans 

 and the underlying molten globe constitutes a laboratory of the most 

 imposing magnitude, infinitely transcending an}1;hing ever conceived 

 by man, with gigantic experiments constantly going on. All that 

 is needed therefore is for the philosopher to interpret nature's stu- 

 pendous operations, which unfortunately only too often prove disas- 

 trous to human life, because of our ignorance and disregard of 

 natural laws. The highest duty of the philosopher is to discover 

 these laws and make them available to the world, so as to contribute 

 as much as possible to the repose and safety of mankind. 



9. According to the theory here developed earthquakes and 

 related phenomena, which have so afflicted the world from the 

 earliest ages, are not much to be dreaded when their laws are 

 understood, and adequate precautions are taken to secure the build- 

 ing of safe houses. When, however, people live near active vol- 

 canoes protection is not always possible, though fortunately it is 

 generally within reach at most places visited by earthquakes through- 

 out the world. 



10. But as great multitudes of people live in cities by the sea 

 they are also subjected to the dangers arising from seismic sea 

 waves; yet if a place of refuge exists they usually have ample time 

 to escape. And even the ships in the harbor will generally be safe 

 if they promptly put to sea on the first sign of the withdrawal of the 



