posed that there was an actual returning current detected in the bottom of 
the ocean. All these ideas have, however, been completely set aside by the 
careful soundings made in connection with the Atlantic Telegraph. There 
are no such currents. The bottom of the sea is comparatively quiescent. 
Therefore it is quite evident that the oceanic streams, as they arrive at the 
north polar basin, and are absorbed therein, are either decomposed, as in a 
batteiy, or are made to pass through the axis and to re-appear again at the 
opposite end. We know from daily experience in subterranean operations 
in the primary rocks, that the electro-magnetic currents of the earth are 
very powerful and active, and are constantly reproducing and decomposing 
the various minerals of which the earth is composed. Therefore, since this 
is the fact, we may reasonably conclude that the same kind of action must 
go on at the poles ; and when we consider that the entire electro-magnetic 
force of the earth is concentrated and converged at the north polar basin 
with a saline liquid to act upon, over an area of 20° in diameter, it must 
have sufficient power to dissolve all the substances of the earth as rapidly 
as they arrive there, and to reduce them to their primary elements, making 
them to re-appear at the same rate at the opposite pole, atom for atom, or 
crystal for crystal. 
Note. — Owing to the lamented death of Mr. Hopkins at the time when 
his Reply was in the printer’s hands, it has not had the benefit of his own 
final revision ; and the Editor must therefore be held responsible for any 
inaccuracies or imperfections which may appear therein. 
