346 = J. Croll— Professor Newcoml’s “ Rejoinder.” 
suppositions is probably true. The probability is, I venture to 
resume, that the temperature of space is not very much above 
absolute zero.” 
In regard to Professor Newcomb’s objections to the reasons 
which I have adduced to show that the ocean ought to be 
warmer than the land, I am at a loss to understand how he can 
have so completely misunderstood me on that point. 
thonght I had expressed my views with sufficient clearness, 
but now fear I cannot have done so. need not, however, 
again go over my argument in detail, but shall simply state 
what the views are which I have all along maintained. This 
will suffice to show that these views are diametrically the oppo 
site of those which my critic has attributed to me. 
The temperature of a body can remain stationary only when 
the rate at which it is losing equals that at which it is receiving 
heat. If heat be lost more rapidly than it is received the 
temperature will fall. The fall of temperature will diminish 
the rate of loss till the rate of loss equals the rate of gain. 
After this the temperature becomes stationary. If we have 
the fact that theagueous vapor of the air is far less ciation 
