i877*J i' 1 it s Geological Relations. 475 
important phenomenon. With regard to this Mr. Judd 
says “ that the barometrical condition of the atmosphere 
must exercise a powerful influence on such a series of ope- 
rations as are seen to be going on within the crater of 
Stromboli, few, probably, would be bold enough to deny.” 
It appears “ that the more violent states of activity . . . . 
coincide with the winter seasons and stormy weather, and 
its periods of comparative repose occur during the calms of 
summer, is established not only by the universal testimony 
of the inhabitants, but .... by the aCtual observations of 
many competent authorities.”* It is hardly necessary to 
point out that during stormy and wintry weather the baro- 
meter is mostly low, while the contrary is the case during 
summer time and calms. 
It is not impossible that similar antagonism between out- 
ward and inward pressure may affeCt the working of many 
other vents, such as the Solfatara of Naples, and mud- 
volcanoes, such as those of Sicily, Transylvania, &c. ; and 
that such variations may have no inconsiderable results, 
both as regards the chemical and cosmical effects of volcanic 
action. 
And now, reviewing the preceding notes, it will be seen 
what an all-powerful geological agent the atmosphere we 
breathe is. Without its aid we should know never a strati- 
fied formation. The earth would simply form a ball of truly 
primitive rock, resulting from the cooling down of the 
original nebulous mass set apart for our globe, the only 
variation in which primeval and perennial crust being that 
of the different strata of higher specific gravity towards the 
interior. We should have no coal, no metalliferous deposits, 
no rivers or seas, and no rain, — consequently no denudation 
by “ Rain and Rivers,” — for the vapour of water could not 
ascend into empty space. We should have but, last and 
worst of all, there would be no “we.” Life would be im- 
possible, and the earth would finally degenerate into a 
— — “ pale-faced moon.” 
That this is probably her ultimate mission cannot be denied. 
The only consolation is that owing to her larger size, and 
therefore slower rate of cooling, than the moon, she will 
have gone through a somewhat more extended geological 
course. There is undoubtedly a very intimate connection 
between secular cooling and withdrawal of atmosphere, for 
* J. W. Judd, op. cit p. 213. 
