288 Obituary — Sir J. F. Herschel, Bart. 



Again, does not a fallacy lurk under the inference that the crust 

 of the earth is stronger than the shell of an egg because it is pro- 

 portionally somewhat thicker, the former being the 158th and the 

 latter the 200th part of the diameter. This seems to involve the 

 assumption that the strength of a structure increases vfith its size, 

 vp^hereas, on the contrary, size is an element of weakness. The model 

 is always stronger in proportion than the machine or the building, 

 because the weight increases so much faster than the power to 

 support it. The conclusion seems unavoidable, that while an egg- 

 shell will bear its own weight, and even a large additional load, 

 without giving way, the crust of the earth could not maintain itself 

 in position unless its pieces rested everywhere, or nearly everywhere, 

 on the liquid central mass, and, as it were, partially floated upon it. 



E. W. C, B.A., B.Sc. 



OBITTJJ^ZEa^Z-. 



Sib J. F. W. Hekschel, Bakt. — This great philosopher died on 

 the 11th ult., at the advanced age of 79, in the full possession of 

 all his mental faculties. Though he devotdd most of his time to 

 astronomy, natural philosophy, chemistry, meteorology, physical 

 geography, etc., geology did not altogether escape his attention. 

 Among his suggestive contributions to this science may be mentioned 

 the following : — 1. On Changes of Climate arising from the varying 

 excentricity of the earth's orbit (Geol. Trans., 2nd series, vol. iii., 

 referred to in LyelVs Principles as early as 1837). 2. On the effect 

 of the Eemoval of Matter from above to below the Sea, producing 

 " a mechanical subversion of the equilibrium of pressure and 

 temperature ; " On Subsidence and Elevation ; The Influence of 

 Subterranean Steam; The results of the Expansion of Eocks by 

 Heat ; The Fusion and Metamorphism of Sedimentary Eocks, etc. 

 (letters written in 1836, and published in 1838, at the close of 

 Babbage's Ninth Bridgewater Treatise). In one of these letters the 

 following remarkable passage occurs: — "We are led bjr analogy to 

 suppose that He (the Creator) operates through a series of intermediate 

 causes, and that in consequence the origination of fresh species, 

 could it ever come under our cognizance, would be found to be a 

 natural, in contradistinction to a miraculous, process." 3. Eemarks 

 on Denudation, etc., in his article on Physical Geography in the Ency- 

 clopcedia Britannica, since published separately. 4. Various important 

 allusions to geology in articles lately published in Good Words, etc. 

 In private life Sir John was characterized by a rare combination of 

 candour and unaffected humility, and he was never known to write 

 discourteously in his replies to the most discourteous opponents. His 

 remains were interred in Westminster Abbey on Friday, May 19th, 

 beside those of Sir Isaac Newton. A more appropriate place could 

 not have been selected ; for, though the fame of Herschel will not 

 rival that of Newton, he was as industrious, skilful, and devoted a 

 labourer in the same field, and contributed to extend the boundaries 

 of that science which was alike dear to both. 



