a 
220 Scientific Intelligence. 
fas a result of contraction from cooling] equal to between 400 and 
500 times what it could withstand, and so must crush, even 
though only left unsupported by the nucleus beneath, to the 
extent of z1, or 43, of its entire weight. And what is true here 
of a mile taken at the surface, is true (neglecting some minute cor- 
rections for difference in the co-efficient of gravity, ete.) if taken 
* 
down after the shrinking nucleus—if so be that the globe be still 
cooling, and constituted as it is; even to the limited extent to 
which we know anything of its nature—it must crush unequally, 
both regarded superficially and as to depth; generally the crush- 
ing lines being confined to the planes or places of greatest weak- 
a fact; but in reality La Place has proved nothing of the sort, as 
those geological teachers who have echoed the conclusion should 
hav 
* The Rey. O. Fisher, M.A., F.G.S., ina most interesting and valuable pape? 
“On the Elevation of Mountain Chams by Lateral Pressure, its Cause, the 
Amount of it, with a Speculation on the Origin of Volcanic Action,” read, April, 
—— in the hands of the Royal Society. The author’s aggice —— oh 
wholly different from my own, and do not appear to me equally valid wi 
notions as to prolate NE ; 
