205 



CHAPTER XIX. 



THE ACTION OF VIS-lNERTIiE ON THE SURFACE OF 

 THE EARTH. 



It is evident that, if from the oblate spheroidal form 

 of the earth, resulting from axial rotation, we can 

 infer an action of vis-inerti^e in the ocean, such an 

 inference is equally applicable to the outer crust of 

 the earth. So that, according to this, the whole 

 surface of the earth, and all upon it, must tend to 

 lag, while some revolving force within is dragging it 

 round eastwards. 



And can any natural phenomena be adduced in 

 refutation of this view ? It may, with exquisite 

 logic, be shown to be at variance with assertions 

 which have for some generations been taught in 

 schools and colleges as laws of motion ; but it cannot, 

 I think, be shown to be at variance with absolute 

 fact ; and I will now briefly consider what movements 

 and configuration of the outer crust of the earth 

 should result from an action of vis -inertia on it 

 similar to that described as acting in the ocean, in 

 order to ascertain whether the actual configuration is 

 such as to admit of its having resulted from the 

 action of that force. 



