LIGHT, LUMINARIES AND LIFE. 211 
Leipzig) tells us that “this much is certain: the Biblical con- 
ception of the universe, which constitutes part of our faith, and in 
so far as it does so, is for us, not a Babylonian conception, but 
extremely ancient knowledge, partly the result of experience 
[including observation of nature] and partly revealed by God to 
man and preserved among His people.”* Philology and archxology 
alike bear testimony to this. 
(2) As to the Expanse, the old notion of the atmosphere con- 
stituting the expanse (“firmament”) and the clouds “the waters 
above the expanse ” will not work at all scientifically, and to import 
“inspiration ” here is simply to “ beg the question.” Every student 
of physics knows that the clouds are water, and my critic waxes 
eloquent over the phenomena of clouds. But one wonders if he has 
ever travelled for two or three hours together through an alpine 
cloud, as through a vapour-bath, with the atmosphere, in which the 
clouds float, above him as well as below him; or stood on an alpine 
peak or pass, and gazed on clouds far below, as they appear (¢.g.) to 
an observer on the summit of Mount Pilatus near Lucerne, when 
(according to a local Spriichlein) that giant “wears his collar.” 
I cannot help thinking that the writer of Genesis i was a better 
observer of nature than my critic appears to be. 
(3) The view of Lord Kelvin, to which he refers, did not need 
refutation at the Cambridge Meeting of the B.A.,¢ at which I was 
present. 
He is mistaken in asserting—Dr. Irving adopts Lord Kelvin’s 
view-—“ that the earth solidified from the centre to the 
circumference.” On the contrary (following such masters of 
geological science as Credner, Heim and Suess, of the continental 
school), I have for more than twenty years advocated the opposite 
view, as Mr. Woods Smyth may see for himself, if he will be so 
good as to look into my geological writings. t 
* Quoted by Dean Wace, D.D., in his lecture on “the Book of 
Genesis,” Christian Apologetics, John Murray, 1903. 
+ See Report for 1904. 
t Such (e.g.) as—(a) “Chemical and Physical Studies in the Metamor- 
phism of Rocks.” (Longmans, 1889); (0) “The Malvern Crystallines ” 
{Geological Magazine, October, 1892) ; (c) “On the Consolidation of the 
Earth” (Vature, May 25th, 1905), to which I specially draw his attention. 
