104 Observations on the Phcenomena 



For we might as well suppose, that tlie motion of a cannon ball 

 in its flieht acquired a velocity exceeding i)y upwards of 200 

 tirnes that which vvas commnnicated to it when it left the can- 

 non's mouth! Wcwiie ^n txperimentum cruris, which undeni- 

 ably proves the fallacy, ;nid absurdity, of the PhUlipinn doctrine. 



6. Art. ?) and /• Admitting the earth to swim in this gaseous 

 mediuii), it is requisite that an uniform density exist between 

 them ; and as our atmosphere is subject to the laws of contrac- 

 tion and expansion, by what hacns pocvs or conjuration is its 

 condensation prevented? If a mechanical action or protrusion 

 is produced througli an organization of fixed matter, it is a no- 

 torious absurdity to suppose our atmosphere to be encompassed 

 with this miraculous mechanical gas, without its being com- 

 pressed to a uniform density with tiiat of the earth, and its cir- 

 cumscribing medium. Our atmosphere might be protected from 

 its action, itis true, supposing the uiedium to be constifuted of 

 fixed matter; but in this case the orbits of the earth and [jlauets 

 would be circles instead of ellipses, and any tendeiicy to deviate 

 from this track would produce a condensation in our atmosphere 

 equal to the density of the medium, compounded with the para- 

 niotmt velocity of the earth and medium. Otherwise, on the 

 priiicifJes nf Sir Richard, our atmosphere would abandon its 

 present circumscriptive situation, and ascend into a rarer stratum, 

 till its density and momentum and that of the yaseous medium 

 are equalized. And in consequence of the rushing in of this 

 dense gaseous medium to supply its place, the human-race would 

 undoui)tedly be aimihilated; and all loose or detached bodies or 

 fluids, inferior to the earth's mean density, or particles of matter 

 not united hv mechanical cohesion of atoms, would take their 

 aerial flight fiom our globe, never more to return! What a 

 sublime theory!! What an elegant elucidation of the modus 

 operandi ! ! ! 



7. Action and re- action being every where equal — By what 

 means does the earth or other planet acquire a renovation of 

 motion ? As Sir Ric/iurd, to account for the rotatory motion of 

 the earth on its axis, supposes it to be generated by a mfiss of 

 various density moving rapidly through the gaseous medium of 

 space, certain points of which would act on the medium, and 

 turn the wliole, the effect would be a retardation in the earth's 

 Drbiculur motion. But suppose we for the present admit, that 

 the earth's motion in the opposite part of its orbit is accelerated 

 in order to establish a conipensation of motion, how does it 

 happen iliat the rotatory motion of the earth on its a.sis is not 

 alternately accelerated and retarded .accordingly, which we know 

 to be contrary to observation ? 



Another obstacle aloo presents itself in respect to rotatory 



motions. 



A 



