52 Strictures on Volcanos and Earthquakes. 



condensed air below, and the air held in solution can be sup- 

 posed ; it being known that the particles of gas, constantly 

 repel each other. 



The answer given by you to number six and seven, objec- 

 tions of the Editor, does not give me satisfaction : " That 

 the air -ihould separate from water, saturated and compres- 

 sed" is 7iot as we think supported by analogy, but is contra- 

 ry thereto, as all soda-water preparers may witness. Indeed, 

 Sir, in support of this part of your hypothesis, a few facts or 

 examples are required. 



Allowing however, as fact, that air is conveyed, by natural 

 means below the separating point; and that three fluids 

 are formed, resting upon the terraneous bottom, what now 

 would be the effect of subterraneous heat upon the superin- 

 cumbent mass of fluid? Would not a circulation ensue, ef- 

 fecting an exchange between the lower and upper portions, 

 altogether producing such an operation as is known to occur 

 frequently in our atmosphere ? A small movement being 

 once commenced, would not stop till the marine basin were 

 emptied of all its substratified air : moreover, if a whirl be 

 formed under water, as whirlwinds are above it, the rush of 

 the expanding air upward must be tremendous, for the force 

 of which I refer to your observations near the bottom of 

 page 16. Now although violent and deep currents have 

 been detected in the ocean, which are undoubtedly more ir- 

 regular at the bottom, yet no escape of respirable air at the 

 surface of the sea to the extent here indicated has to my 

 knowledge been noticed by any writer. 



On the other hand, if it be allowed that oxygen gas is sus- 

 ceptible of being thus crowded under the ocean, and there 

 kept, what law has interfered to prevent the whole of the 

 oxygen which surrounds our globe from being thus disposed 

 of, leaving none for the use of its supermarine inhabitants? 

 If it be allowed that nitrogen gas can thus be condensed and 

 located, may we not fear that our atmosphere will in course 

 of time disappear, having retired for the increase of the 

 tides, or to prepare for the deluge of the earth ? 



It seems necessary that some other hypothesis be invented 

 to account for the phenomena of volcanos. Possibly may 

 oxygen be conveyed from the ocean to the interior of the 

 earth by the agency of electricity, forming there a liquid 

 d^pot, in reserve for the combustion of such metals as may 

 have been deoxidized by a similar agency. But as you have 



