185 
densed from nebular matter. It predicates that this force 
is iatill active everywhere, and that everywhere within our 
observation we have a condensation of matter in progress, 
matter condensing from a highly diffused condition to one 
of greater density. Thus each member of our system, it is 
argued, is gradually and surely nearing the sun and at the 
same time is shrinking, and the various planets are in fact 
in so many stages of evolution, and exhibit for us the 
various phases which the earth has passed through and will 
pass through before it is landed in the sun. And the most 
ingenious and successful of our analytical astronomers and 
physicists combined. Sir William Thomson, has compared 
our universe to an elaborately constructed clock which is 
inevitably and surely running itself down, until it has 
exhausted its various forces and until each component 
member has fallen into the common centre. This is 
elementary enough. I only quote it to show that the 
evidence of astronomy is, that the earth is contracting, and 
that its periphery is diminishing in area. 
The conclusion of geology for our purpose is the same. 
It is argued by geologists that the earth was originally in 
an incandescent state, and that it has assumed its present 
shape after a gradual cooling, that is, a gradual contraction, 
which is still in progress. These are the words of Mr. 
Geikie, one of the most recent and competent authorities : 
“Among the geologists of the present day there is a growing 
conviction that upheaval and subsidence are concomitant 
phenomena, and that viewed broadly they both arise from 
the effects of the secular cooling and consequent con- 
traction of the mass of the earth.” On both grounds there- 
fore, namely, those upon which astronomical and geological 
arguments are based, is it established that the earth is 
shrinking. 
As the fire syringe discharges a certain amount of heat 
when sudden pressure is applied, wiiich heatbve can collect 
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