SUMMARY. [iiij 



and double stars, and then gradually descending through the starry 

 stratum to which our solar system belongs, it contemplates this terres- 

 trial spheroid, surrounded by air and water, and finally, proceeds to 

 the consideration of the form of our planet, its temperature, and 

 magnetic tension, and the fulness of organic vitality which is un- 

 folded on its surface under the action of light. Partial insight hito 

 the relative dependence existing amongst all phenomena. Amid all 

 the mobile and unstable elements in space, mean numerical values are 

 the ultimate aim of investigation, being the expression of the physical 

 laws, or forces of the Cosmos. The delineation of *he universe does not 

 begin with the earth, from which a merely subjective point of view 

 might have led us to start, but rather with the objects comprised in the 

 regions of space. Distribution of matter, which is partially conglo- 

 merated into rotating and circling heavenly bodies of very different 

 density and magnitude, and partly scattered as self-luminous vapour. 

 Keview of the separate portions of the picture of nature for the purpose 

 of explaining the reciprocal connection of all phenomena. 



I. Celestial portion of the Cosmos . . . . pp. 67-145. 



II. Terrestrial portion of the Cosmos . . . . pp. 145-369. 

 . Form of the earth, its mean density, quantity of heat, electro- 

 magnetic activity, process of light pp. 145-197. 



&. Vital activity of the earth towards its external surface. Re-action 

 of the interior of a planet on its crust and surface. Subterranean noise 

 without waves of concussion. Earthquakes dynamic phenomena 

 pp. 197-213. 



c. Material products which frequently accompany earthquakes. 

 Gaseous and aqueous springs. Salses and mud- volcanoes. Upheavals 

 of the soil by elastic forces pp. 213-226. 



d. Fire-emitting mountains. Craters of elevation. Distribution of 

 volcanoes on the earth pp. 226-245. 



e. Volcanic forces form new kinds of rock, and metamorphose those 

 already existing. Geognostical classification of rocks into four groups. 

 Phenomena of contact. Fossiliferous strata; their vertical arrangement. 

 The faunas and floras of an earlier world. Distribution of masses of 

 rock pp. 245-288. 



/. Geognostical epochs which are indicated by the mineralogical dif- 

 ference of rocks have determined the distribution of solids and fluids 

 into continents and seas. Individual configuration of solids into hori- 

 zontal expansion and vertical elevation. Relations of area. Articu- 

 lation. Probability of the continued elevation of the earth's crust in 

 ridges pp. 288-306. 



g. Liquid and aeriform envelopes of the solid surface of our planet. 

 Distribution of heat in both. The sea. The tides. Currents and their 

 effects pp. 306-316. 



h. The atmosphere. Its chemical composition. Fluctuations in ita 

 density. Law of the direction of the winds. Mean temperature. Enu- 

 meration of the causes which tend to raise and lower the temperature. 

 VOL. I. c 



