May 1861.] Supposed Fixity of the Poles, 09 



ways protrudes at the equator ; and that ocean brings with it 

 deposit matter from great rivers, such as the Ganges, the Orinoco, 

 and the like. In Fairholme's Geology of Scripture are contained 

 notices of the most remarkable instances of speedy formation of 

 limestone rocks, under water. There is a connected circumstance 

 on which I rest weight. A cocoa-nut tree inclined was found, em- 

 bedded in limestone, in a high northern latitude. The cocoa-nut 

 tree is never uprooted ; but, in unprotected exposure to a hurri- 

 cane, it bends. I have seen such trees at from 70° to 20° of in- 

 clination. This instance sets aside objections from diluvial float- 

 ing. The tree was found where it had grown ; and the cocoa-nut 

 tree is only met with between the tropics. 



By two observations of the star Spica Virginia, at very distant 

 intervals, the precession of the equinoxes was discovered. Though 

 this discovery was clearly proved ; yet, strange to say, the Sorbonne 

 at Paris contested the point, and would not admit the fact, until 

 driven to do so. Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood 

 was, for a long time, opposed by two cotemporary Physicians. The 

 human mind, with reluctance, admits a new idea ; and there are 

 not many persons who think, and reason for themselves. 



On the foregoing data I submit to the consideration of Astrono- 

 mers, and of Philosophers in general, the expediency of looking 

 further, and looking well into the Newtonian dictum of the fixity 

 of the poles. Allow a man to be great when he truly is so : do 

 not deny him to be weak, or at least on one point ; for every man 

 is so. As a theologian I have nothing to do with Newton's de- 

 monstrations, but implicitly to receive them. As a mathematician, 

 Newton was out of his place, when he became a commentator on 

 the book of Revelation. Voltaire, his ardent admirer, wrote as 

 much ; and 1 believe he therein wrote truly. 



I think the Newtonian terms centripetal, and centrifugal, would 

 admit a better nomenclature. This however, is not my present 

 object. Electricity, galvanism, and magnetism, with their laws 

 were unknown in the time of Newton. Let him have all applause 

 for the best possible terms then ; but let Faraday, and others, see 

 to an improved nomenclature now. 



Dr. Bradley had discovered the nutation of the earth's axis : 



