ON THE THEORIES OP ELEVATION AND EARTHQUAKES. 65 
Fig, 5. 
the same as before, and the line NK would remain nearly so, but NQ 
might be very much diminished. If NQ thus became much smaller than 
Wh. the pressure at M would become much ^p-eater than the weight of 
the mass, since, when there is equilibrium, the pressure at M itmUiplied by 
must be equal to the weight of the mass multiplied by NK; i.e. the 
nonzootal pressure between the central masses, would be to the weight of 
ather, as NK is to NQ, a ratio which, by the continued subsidence of the 
point M, might evidently become indefinitely great, 
pic? preceding explanation 1 have supposed the two masses PS and 
“ c equal; but the efficacy of the mechanical action at M to produce the 
angular displacement of one of the masses (as PS) might be much increased, 
I we supposed the other mass much greater than PS. This case, or one 
a least strictly analogous to it, will perhaps be best represented by fig. 6, 
Fig. 6. 
