314 Doubts Relative to the Epochal and 



be nearly so much as twice as long as the height, nor more 

 than equal to the sides, but considerably under that propor- 

 tion, if raised from a central nucleus. 



To obtain a base sufficiently broad to meet the case as it is 

 .actually found, a line of resistance much more superficial 

 than from a supposed central nucleus, or from the sides of 

 an enclosed sphere, must be assumed, in order that the base 

 on the surface may be formed by force acting from a surface 

 below sufficiently extensive to secure the base known to exist 

 on the surface above. 



Let it, therefore, be granted that the circle " in, in, in," 

 contains a smaller circle within it, L R, L R, L R. The 

 same circle shall be an unyielding circle, and be called the 

 " line of resistance. ,'\ If, then, between the two circles there 

 is an expansive force, as fire, acting upon the earth's crust 

 (which crust may be supposed to be less deep than repre- 

 sented in the diagram), then, according to the area of 

 resistance occupied along the line or circle of resistance 

 L R, L R, L R, so would be the extent of the base below 

 to the surface above belonging to any particular mountain 

 range or peak, the requisite amount of force being a priori 

 assumed as a necessary element in the postulate. 



The extent and degree of elevation of our table lands, 

 steppes, and mountain ranges, ought, in time, by careful 

 calculation, to lead to a very close approximation as to the 

 depth from the earth's surface of the line of resistance under- 

 lying the heat. 



Against this view, it will be said that too great an amount 

 of solid matter would be admitted to account for the mean 

 density of the earth. Granted, if it were necessary to admit 

 the whole to be solid beneath the line of resistance ; but a 

 fluid so slightly compressible as water might be admitted as 

 occupying a portion of the space, especially if the earth, in 

 conformity with all organic bodies, has within itself a fixed 



