264 
Notices of Books. 
[April, 
Leaving, however, such minor points, we turn to the author’s 
fundamental proposition that our globe is “ surrounded by a 
transparent, spherical, metallic shell, enclosing within its folds 
the rising vapours from the earth, and preventing them from 
flying off into space, in the same way that the boiler-plates of an 
ordinary boiler enclose the steam which works the whole ma- 
chinery.” We naturally ask for the evidence upon which so 
extraordinary a statement is based. In reply, we are told that 
the atmosphere contains metallic gases, due to some obscure 
process of evaporation, constantly going on, by which all mine- 
ral bodies are more or less affeCted throughout the whole earth 
and the metallic vapour thus evolved — finding its way into the 
atmosphere — is therebyabsorbed : the heat which creates the con- 
stant mineral volatilisation that turns the upper currents of our 
atmosphere into a metallic gas is derived not only from the sun, 
but also from the state of combustion in which it is believed the 
centre of the earth exists. Heat applied to water produces 
steam, which is absorbed by the atmosphere, and we have only 
to enter any foundry to see metallic vapour being likewise so ab- 
sorbed. Under such circumstances it is only natural to conclude 
that all the minerals volatilised from a combination of causes 
find their way into our atmosphere. If they do not, whence 
come the aerolites which Nature precipitates at our feet, and 
which all reach the earth in the shape of boulders of highly- 
magnetised pure metal.” Now, we admit the presence of water 
in the atmosphere, because we have direCt proof of its existence. 
If “ all minerals ” are volatilised in a similar manner, their pre- 
sence should be capable of demonstration. It would surely be 
sufficient to draw some thousand cubic metres of air by means 
of an aspirator through different solutions, such as hydrochloric 
acid, hydrosulphate of ammonia, &c., — taking the precaution to 
exclude dust by a plug of cotton-wool at the entrance end, — and 
then subjecting the liquids to a careful examination. That at 
certain temperatures all metals must be volatilised we are not 
disposed to doubt ; but experience shows that as soon as the 
temperature is reduced below a certain point, these metallic 
vapours are re-condensed. Even if this were not the case, why 
should these supposed gaseous metals colleCt in the upper 
regions of the atmosphere ? In what state or combination 
would they have to exist so as to be perfectly transparent and 
diathermanous, and yet be insoluble in the atmosphere ? The 
meteorolites consist chiefly of iron, cobalt, and nickel, — the first- 
mentioned being widely diffused, indeed, but requiring a very 
high temperature for its volatilisation ; the other two likewise 
very fixed, and decidedly rare. Why do we not find aerolites of 
the more volatile metals, such as lead or zinc ? As soon as 
Lieutenant Armit, or any one else, shall demonstrate the pre- 
sence of metallic gases in the atmosphere, by accurate chemical 
analysis, we shall receive it as a most interesting and unexpected 
