72 STUDIES, SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIAL chap. 



of silicate or asbestos packing, or other non-conducting 

 material, over which might be formed a smooth surface of 

 some suitable cement, or papier-mache, on which the broad 

 geographical features of the earth might be permanently 

 delineated. With a sufficiency of hot-water pipes in and 

 around the central tower, and efficient arrangements for 

 ventilation, the whole structure might be kept at a nearly 

 uniform temperature at all seasons. 



It has now, I think, been shown that the only form of 

 globe worth erecting on a large scale is one of which the 

 inner surface is utilised for the detailed representation 

 and accurate modelling of the geographical features of the 

 earth's surface, while on the outside, either by painting or 

 modelling or the two combined, all the grander features 

 could be so represented as to be effectively seen at con- 

 siderable distances. But as to the dimensions of such a 

 globe there is room for much difference of opinion. I am 

 myself disposed to think that the scale of yoTyVoo-j 

 proposed by M. Eeclus, is much too large, and that for 

 every scientific and educational purpose, and even as a 

 popular exhibition, half that scale would be ample. The 

 representation of minute details of topography due to 

 human agency, and therefore both liable to change and of 

 no scientific importance — such as roads, paths, houses, and 

 enclosures — would be out of place on such a globe, except 

 that towns and villages and main lines of communication 

 might be unobtrusively indicated. And for adequately 

 exhibiting every important physiographical feature — the 

 varied undulations of the surface in all their modifications 

 of character, rivers and streams with their cascades and 

 rapids, their gorges and alluvial plains, lakes and tarns, 

 swamps and peat-bogs, woods, forests, and scattered wood- 

 lands, pastures, sand dunes and deserts, and every other 

 feature which characterises the earth's surface, a scale 

 of oWtto o^h, or even one of 2-5oVo^th, would be quite 

 sufficient. And when we consider the difficulty and 

 expense of constructing any such globe, and the certainty 

 that the experience gained during the first attempt would 

 lead to improved methods should a larger one be deemed 



