Ether and Energy in Evolution of Matter 7 



metal of the earth's surface layers. So there originated an 

 investing zone or crust round the earth's metallic core, which, 

 in virtue of its own heat energy, in virtue of the heat radiated 

 out to it from the core, in virtue also of the active chemical 

 affinity existing between many of the condensing bodies them- 

 selves, gave rise to extensive masses of carbonates, silicates, and 

 other compounds of aluminium, iron, or manganese, which, 

 when rearranged or erupted later, formed the igneous or 

 foundational rocks of the earth's crust. 



But on the still hot, often it might be incandescent, surface 

 crust, and aided by abundant chemical reactions that were 

 then proceeding, union of the light hydrogen and oxygen of 

 the gaseous envelope gave rise to water vapor, that probably 

 long remained as a dense shroud, and that was constantly 

 added to by new formations. 



Owing to continued radiation of heat into space, owing 

 also doubtless to condensation and conversion of heat round 

 the ether particles into intra-atomic energy, probably of an 

 electric nature as Le Bon has pictured, the gaseous and vapor- 

 ous envelope became condensed and cooled. But, during 

 transition from a gaseous and highly -heated state to that of 

 commencing formation of solid surface materials, the earth 

 doubtless passed, as Arldt has well indicated {9: 553), through 

 those successive phases of appearing among the other planets 

 as a white star, later as a yellow star, still later as a red star, 

 this last phase inaugurating formation of the beginning soHd 

 crust. As this crust condensed it must have been subject 

 to considerable strains and displacements. So it would tend 

 to be ridged up into evolving higher lands, and to collapse into 

 depressions which, when the w^ater vapor had sufficiently cooled 

 or condensed as water, would start denudation action. This 

 also, considering the active agencies then at work, would pro- 

 ceed comparatively rapidly, and would tend still further to 

 mix up the already-formed constituents, and to evolve new 

 chemical compounds in addition. 



Contrary, however, to the older views of geologists, and in 

 line with the suggestive studies of Arldt (9: 564-604), we now 



