On the Central Heat of the Earth, 



131 



forces — gravitation, and spheroidal repulsion ; the former 

 tending to draw the crust towards the central nucleus, and 

 the latter repelling the crust from the centre. The solid film 

 of matter, therefore, on which we tread, will have assumed 

 the position where the equilibrium of the two forces is esta- 

 blished. Dr Macadam then referred to the importance of 

 his theory of the spheroidal state in explaining the cause of 

 volcanic phenomena, and the evolution of hot water from 

 the Geysers of Iceland, and concluded by expressing his 

 firm conviction, that the theory he had expounded, and 

 which had a reality in conception to him, would be found 

 to explain many obscure points in connection with the cen- 

 tral heat of the globe, and the evolution of molten matter 

 and heated water from the interior of the earth. 



An animated discussion followed the reading of this paper, 

 in which Mr Alex. Bryson, Dr T. S. Wright, Dr M'Bain, and 

 others took part. 



Wednesday, 27th January 1864. — William Turner, Esq., M.B., 

 President, in the Chair. 



William Jackson Elraslie, Esq., A.M., was balloted for, and elected a 

 member of the Society. 



The following Donations to the Library were laid on the table, and 

 thanks voted to tbe donors : — 



1. (1.) Jahrbuch der Kaiserlich-Koniglichen Geologischen Reichsan- 

 stalt, 1863, XII. Band. Nro. 2, April, Mai, Juni. (2.) General- 

 Register der ersten zelm Bande des Jahrbuches der Kaiserlich-Konig- 

 lichen Geologischen Reichsanstalt. — From the I. R. Geological Institute 

 of Austria. 2. Canadian Journal of Industry, Science, and Art New 

 Series, No. XLV., May 1863.— From the Canadian Institute. 3. Pro- 

 ceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Nos. IX., X. 

 XI.. XII., September, October, November, December, 1862. — From the 

 Academy. 4. Section of the East of Fife Extension Railway from 

 Kilconquhar to Anstruther ; copied from the Original Plans and Sections, 

 by the Rev. Walter Wood, in illustration of a paper read before tbe 

 Society at a previous meeting (see p. 125) — From the Rev. Walter 

 Wood, Elie. 5. Transactions of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts, 

 Vol. VI., Part iii., 1863.— From the Society. 



The following communications were read : — 

 vol. in. 



s 



