CATACLYSMS. 



If the temperature was sufficient in the inflicted 

 jolt to render water gaseous, it remained so in that form 

 until the cooling action brought about the temperature 

 where it forms by combustion. And such portion as 

 did not fall together in the combustive order took on 

 the slower method of union throughout time which has 

 elapsed since the collapse. All other properties reduced 

 to the gaseous form were acted upon by the same laws 

 as that governing water. Having arrived at a point 

 where they united by combustion, they joined by that 

 method, and from that period joined by the slower pro- 

 cesses. 



GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS MANIFEST TO- 

 DAY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, 

 TEND TO PROVE THE IMPACT FROM 

 SOME FOREIGN BODY, AT SOME NOT 

 DISTANT PERIOD IN THE WORLD'S 

 HISTORY. 



When the surface fluids or the elastic properties 

 become frozen up, sufficiently to solidify the outlines 

 of a planet, it requires but additional cold to cause the 

 precipitation of matter held in suspension in space. And 

 the precipitation of additional matter will render the 

 planet heavy in proportion to the gaseous nucleus, 

 thereby causing it to lower nearer to the source of the 

 least power of suspension. 



That is the case with our moon to-day, and it is 

 subject to the lessening of the force of the earth to 

 withhold it from falling on the earth. Freezing up of 



67 



