29 
circle traced in the heavens by the pole of the heavens. 
Consequently, the actual course of the pole could be traced 
out, and we could prophesy where the pole would be at any 
date in the future, and could state where it was in the past. 
Geometry, however, is a science which admits of no contra- 
diction ; all must be in harmony, or else some part must be 
in error. By a geometrical investigation of this problem, it 
can be shown that, if the pole of the ecliptic were the 
centre of the circle traced by the pole of the heavens, these 
two poles must of necessity remain always at the same dis- 
tance from each other. But it is a geometrical axiom that 
the distance in degrees between these two poles is the 
measure of the angle between the planes of the ecliptic 
and the equinoctial. Consequently, if the angle between 
these two planes is found to vary, it follows that 
the pole of the ecliptic is not the centre of the 
circle traced by the pole of the heavens. The recorded 
observations of the past 1,500 years prove that there 
is a gradual decrease in the angle between the planes referred 
to, consequently, under such conditions, it is inrpossible that 
the true centre of the circle can be the pole of the ecliptic. 
. . . The proper motion of the fixed stars, and the 
moon's changeable rate, as indicated by eclipses, are problems 
affected by this discover)', as are also various other important 
facts. . . . The period when the pole traced its circle 
does not seem to be at present known by astronomers. At 
] ^resent, astronomers merely subtract a certain value from 
year to year in order to obtain the value of the obliquity for 
the future. Considering that we have had no real original 
fact brought forward in geometrical astronomy during the 
past 100 years, this problem is one which must attract the 
attention of all astronomers. " Its exhaustive investigation 
may pave the way for admission of the discovery I have sub- 
mitted, superseding efforts to define specific annual results of 
a cause of variable intensity. The longer continuance of 
solar rays upon the arctic than upon the antarctic apex of 
the earth's contour, affords annually an extension of season 
favourable to precipitation of snow beyond that afforded in 
the antarctic, — snow storms being induced by a milder tem- 
perature than that of intense congelation, hence a relatively 
greater accumulation in arctic regions. Whether this cause 
augments the effect or not, certain it is that the sea is 
amassing in the North Pacific, and on West Greenland, 
while receding, — its volume shallowing, upon the coasts 
throughout the Southern Hemisphere, and upon the shores 
of Europe, where the lands appear to be gradually elevat- 
