The Low Barometer of the Antarctic Temperate Zone. 345 



have, then, a difference of 29| — 29^ inches, or two- thirds of 

 an inch • so that despite all the opposing considerations we 

 have neglected, we still have a difference less by one-third 

 than that for which we have to account ; and, indeed, so far as 

 the comparison between the northern and southern temperate 

 zones is concerned (and this is the true question at issue), 

 we are only entitled to consider the third part of an inch lost 

 by overflow, as the true measure of the efficiency of this 

 cause. 



So far as I am aware, the theory I am about to present in 

 explanation of the phenomenon of a low antarctic barometer, 

 is original. It is sufficiently simple; — perhaps, if we remember 

 how very seldom physical phenomena admit of a simple expla- 

 nation, one may say that the theory labours under the dis- 

 advantage of simplicity. 



It is obvious that the centre of gravity of the solid por- 

 tion of the earth's globe lies somewhat to the south of the 

 centre of figure. This arrangement has long been accepted 

 as the explanation of two remarkable geographical features — 

 the prevalence of water over the southern hemisphere, and the 

 configuration of nearly all the peninsulas over the whole globe. 

 Whether or not those parts within the antarctic regions which 

 have not yet been explored, are occupied by land (chiefly) is 

 a question which has little more bearing on our views respect- 

 ing this point, than has the counter question — whether the 

 unexplored north-polar regions are or are not occupied by a 

 north-polar ocean.* Supposing these arrangements to exist, 

 it is evident that they form mere local peculiarities. The 

 general tendency of water towards the southern hemisphere is 

 very obvious, and, so far as I am aware, no other explanation 

 of the peculiarity has ever been offered than that founded on 



* Captain Maury holds the affirmative on both points. I have already had 

 occasion to discuss in these pages his theory of a tidal north-polar ocean, and I 

 think the theory cannot be maintained. But the theory of a polar ocean com- 

 municating with the Atlantic and Pacific is a sufficiently probable one. The 

 theory of an antarctic continent is hardly in the same position, since antarctic 

 explorations have given us but faint indications, here and there, of the habitudes 

 of the south-polar regions. But I may note, in passing, a very singular argument 

 used by Captain Maury in favour of the existence of such a continent. He 

 states it as a physical law that land is scarcely ever antipodal to land; "therefore," 

 he says, " since the north-polar regions are probably occupied by a vast ocean, 

 the south-polar regions are probably occupied by a vast continent." He seems 

 to forget that it by no means follows that because land is seldom antipodal to 

 land, water should seldom be antipodal to water. Since the extent of water is 

 nearly three times that of land, it is absolutely necessary that nearly two-thirds 

 of the water should be antipodal to water. The supposed peculiarity that nearly 

 all the land is antipodal to water (one-twenty-seventh only being antipodal to 

 land), is in reality no peculiarity at all. It would have been far more singular if 

 any large proportion of the land (which occupies little more than one-fourth of 

 the globe) had been antipodal to land. 



