90 THE GRAND CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE. 
the almost absolute identity of the latitudes observed for 
the past 47 years, is also accounted for. 
It is no new idea that the land surface of the globe is 
more unstable than that of the sea, but no one seems to 
have noticed that this fact had any bearing on those two 
important astronomical elements—the latitude and 
longitude. 
If such local movementsin latitude are really taking 
place, it will be comparatively easy to detect them since 
the latitude at any particular moment can be determined 
by observation to a very high degree of accuracy. With 
movements east or west, the problem is more difficult, 
but not impossible of solution, by the aid of the electric 
wires. With their assistance, it may hereafter be 
possible to determine the longitude, and hence the dis- 
tance between places, with as much exactness as the 
latitude. 
Such movements of the crust may explain discrepan- 
cies between longitudes of the same places at different. 
epochs. 
In short, the movements of the crust, introduces a new 
problem for the consideration of astronomers which in 
this time of delicate and refined methods, cannot safely 
be neglected. 
THE GRAND CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE. 
Since gravitation is an all-pervading force, every atom 
tending to pull towards it every other atom, it would 
seem that the final result must be the destruction of all, 
the sun and its planets, the stars and their systems at 
last heaped together in one huge lifeless mass, the only 
vestige of the former arrangement being an eternal ro- 
tation on its own axis. 
Science knows nothing to prevent such a catastrophe, 
except that force which now keeps the planets from fall- 
. 40 
