CHAPTER VIII. 



THE ATMOSPHERE. 



A Veritable Ocean. 



THE great aerial ocean which we call the 

 atmosphere (at the bottom of which we live, 

 and move, and have our being), is even 

 more vitally important than has ever been 

 dreamed of in human philosophy. 



Hoiv Constituted. 



Its tangible constituents, such as clouds, 

 vapors, gases, are well understood ; as well 

 as the modifying influence of those atmos- 

 pheric elements upon what we call sunlight, 

 and sun-heat. But the intangible and vital 

 principle, or basis of the atmosphere, has in 

 a measure escaped recognition. This princi- 

 ple is vito-magnetic in its character, and may 

 be designated as static from its habit when 



Yi Appendix, p. 104. 



