PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 641 



■water had a temperature of 0°, while at the depth of 140 fathoms 

 it stood at 8° 



The some phenomenon has been observed in otheT parts of the 

 world, such as the west coast of Australia, the Adriatic, the Lago 

 Maggiore, &c. Especial mention should be made of an observa- 

 tion by Horner, according to whom the lead when hauled up from 

 a depth varying from 80 to 100 fathoms in the mighty gulf stream 

 off the coast of America, used to be hotter than boiling water." 



The same test is applicable to the atmosphere. If the earth is 

 a cooling body, a process of convection such as the sun daily 

 causes, should be continually going on, and the temperature of 

 the whole should be the same; but if an increase in pressure pro- 

 duces an increase in temperature, the cooling of the air as we 

 ascend from the earth, is at once evident. 



If this theory is true, two columns equal in length, of substances 

 whose specific gravities are different, would not produce an equal 

 increase cf temperature. As the rocks and strata in some portions 

 of the earth are heavier than in others, the rate of increase in tem- 

 perature should be different in different parts of the world. This 

 assertion is abundantly verified by observation, but as no data 

 have been given of the specific gravities of the substances, whose 

 rates of increase have been ascertained, this point must be left 

 open for investigation. 



If the ideas advanced herein are sound, a satisfactory solution 

 of the vexed question, "what is the cause of the sun's heat ?" is 

 obtained; for, if the molecules of our earth can generate a tem- 

 perature of 212,754° C. at their centre of gravity, the bodies of 

 our solar system must produce at least the temperature of the sun 

 at theirs. 



In conclusion, I believe that the earth is a solid body; that its 

 internal heat and the heat of the sun are caused by gravity; that 

 force is a necessary attribute of matter; that the sum of all the 

 forces of attraction in the universe is exactly equal to the sum of 

 all those of repulsion; that heat and gravity are equal and anti. 

 thetical; that no force can be kinetic unless held in equilihrio by 

 one or more of the opposite kind; and that the atoms or molecules 

 of matter, and the bodies of our solar system and the universe, are 

 apart and together on account of this antagonism. 



This paper gave rise to some discussion, after which the associa- 

 tion adjourned. 



[Am. Inst.] 00 



