88 Geological Results of the Earth’s Contraction. 
Arr. XI.—A General Review of the Geological Effects of the 
Earth’s Cooling from a state of Igneous Fusion; by James 
D. Dana. 
In former papers in this Journal,* the writer has endeavored to 
illustrate the origin of many of the earth’s features, by refer- 
ence to the necessary consequences of cooling from a state of ° 
igneous fusion. In conclusion, a summary of the results arrived 
at is here offered, in order to aid the reader in a cautious and 
comprehensive revision of the subject; for its bearing upon the 
history of our globe is so important and of so universal a charac- 
ter, that it cannot receive too close attention. If there has been 
* Vol. ii, ii Ser., p. 385, and iii, 94, 176.381, 1846, 1847. 
t In this branch of investigation, principles of the highest importance to science 
have already been deduced, with great ability, by W. Hopkin , FEBS. We 
alluded to his researches on the systems of fissures consequent on elevations, in the 
Jast volume of this Journal, pp. 395, ; and we mention here what escaped US 
, ; treating especially of 
aring of the amount of precession and nutation on the question of the fluidity 
amount of precession, cannot be less than one-fourth of the earth's radius;” also, 
that the mean inclination of the earth's axis to the place of the ecliptic, cam never 
have changed since solidification commenced. 
