Read Ebook: Symmes's Theory of Concentric Spheres Demonstrating that the Earth is hollow habitable within and widely open about the poles by McBride James Symmes John Cleves

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Various have been the conjectures relative to the cause and origin of the meteoric stones, or fire balls, which have been known to fall to the earth, in all ages, and in various parts of the world. Some have imagined them to be precipitated from a comet or some of the planets; others that they come from the moon; and Captain Symmes's opinion, I believe, is that they are formed isolated in space by spontaneous accumulations, as by attracting molecules of matter at first in a fluid state, which afterwards solidifies by heat or motion. But come from whence they may, they are said to be constituted of a substance unknown to our geologists; and in several instances the fragments have been ascertained to consist of pieces, some of which have concave and some convex surfaces, affording a certain proof that previous to their descent, they had been constituted of hollow spheres.

Professor Silliman, of Yale college, has preserved some of the fragments of one of these fire balls; and in his valuable journal, has given the public an able description of the facts which occurred, when they fell. This fire ball fell in the state of Connecticut, in the year 1807, producing three distinct reports, like a cannon, making three convulsive leaps or throes in its course, which were simultaneous no doubt with the explosions, becoming less luminous after each, and being quite extinguished at the third. Three showers of stones fell to the earth in a line with its course; the second shower fell five miles distant from the first, and the last three or four miles from the second. Some of the fragments were found to be concave, others convex, and especially on those sides of the fragments which were glazed with sooty crusted surface, as if vitrified.

These phenomena are precisely such as would occur, supposing the fire ball to have been a small satellite, or erratic planet, at first fluid, which had become so condensed by the increased action of terrestrial gravity, occasioned by its sudden approach, as to cause its fluid parts to chrystalize and form into, at least, three concentric spheres; and the latent heat and light set free by such rapid condensation as to produce the meteoric flame; which in this case was almost equal in light to that of the sun at mid-day. As soon as the spheres became sufficiently solidified to prevent the heated aerial fluid, contained in the mid-plane cavities of the spheres, from passing out with freedom, when expanded by the heat; or let the atmospheric air pass in, in case a condensation within afforded a vacuum; the solid crusts of the spheres would be disruptured successively one after the other; lose their regular rotation, and fall in fragments to the earth. The fall of this body is not a solitary instance of the kind: others have fallen in many parts of the earth, attended with phenomena more or less the same.

On the 16th of January, 1818, in Florida, near Mobile bay, a fire ball bursted with a considerable report. Immediately before the explosion, it was observed to project a cone of fire from each pole horizontally and at right angles with its course. Its bursting like a bomb-shell, indicated that it must have been hollow; and the two cones of light which appeared, beside its train, showed that it was open at the poles.

Enquire of the anatomist, and he will tell you that the large bones of all animals are hollow, and particularly that the bones of birds are more than ordinarily so: even the minutest hairs of our heads are hollow.

Go to the mineralist, and he will inform you that the stone called AErolites, and many other mineral bodies, are composed of hollow concentric circles; and, that strata of different kinds abound in various mineral substances. Even the earth itself is composed, as geologists tell us, of various strata, composed of different substances, and varying from one degree of density to another. If every part of our globe be regulated according to the received laws of gravity, and the relative density of matter, why do we find almost all over the world, light alluvial soil in the vallies and plains; and on the tops of the highest mountains, the more heavy granite, and some of the heaviest substances that nature knows? We can hardly indulge the thought that all this is the work of volcanic eruptions or some dread throe of nature.

FOOTNOTE:

The solidity of the earth is easily calculated by the measure of a meridional degree; but the result will be different according to the measurement assumed, as the length of a degree differs in different latitudes. "Notwithstanding all the admeasurements that have hitherto been made, it has never been demonstrated, in a satisfactory manner, that the earth is strictly a spheroid; indeed, from observations made in different parts of the earth, it appears that its figure is by no means that of a regular spheroid, nor that of any other known regular mathematical figure; and the only certain conclusions that can be drawn from the works of the several gentlemen employed to measure the earth is, that the earth is something more flat at the poles than at the equator."

According to Mott's translation of Newton's Principia, book 3, page 243, the equatorial diameter of the earth is 7964 English miles, and the polar diameter 7929, for as 230:229::7964:7929 miles, the polar axis.

Cassini, who adopted Picard's measure of a degree, makes the diameter of the earth 7967 statute miles; others have estimated it at 7917, and some at 7910 miles. But the estimate which is now esteemed most correct, I believe, is, that the equatorial diameter is 7977 English miles, and the polar diameter 7940. From this we may ascertain the solid contents of the earth. The axis of the earth then assumed to be 7940 and 7977 miles respectively, the area of the generating eclipse is 49745178,252: and its area multiplied by two thirds of the longer axis, gives the solidity equal to 264544857944,136 cubic miles.

That a disposition to hollow cylinders does exist in nature, I think, must be admitted; and that a similar principle exists in the planetary system, at least in some degree, appears to me as certain. Every person has seen or heard of Saturn and his rings. At certain periods of time the appearance of this planet, viewed through a good telescope, represents him to be surrounded with two luminous rings or bodies of matter, concentric with each other, and with the body of the planet. These rings no where adhere to the body of the planet, but are distinct and separate, some considerable distance from him, and from each other, leaving a portion of vacant space between the planet and the rings, through which we see the fixed stars beyond. It is a fact, I believe, admitted by all, and of which we have positive ocular demonstration, that these rings are constituted of some kind of matter, if not solid, at least to all appearance as much so as the body of the planet. Their thickness must be very inconsiderable, for when the edge is turned to the eye it is no longer visible, except to the powerful reflecting telescope of Dr. Herschel.--Thus the rings undergo phases according to the position of the planet in his orbit, which prove them to be opaque, like other bodies in the planetary system, and like them shining by reflection. I am not informed what is the precise velocity of the rotary motion of the rings; probably their varying aspect, or some other cause has prevented a correct observation from being made. However, the planet itself revolves on its axis, with an astonishing velocity; and no doubt the rings also, though perhaps with different degrees of velocity.

The appearance of Saturn, I conceive, establishes the fact, that the principle of concentric spheres, or hollow planets, does exist, at least in one instance, in the solar system. And if the fact be established that it exists in one case, is it not fair, nay, is it not almost a certain and necessary consequence, that the same laws of matter which formed one planet into concentric spheres, must form all the others on a plan more or less the same? If we draw any conclusion, or form any opinion at all, respecting the formation of the planets, whose inner parts we cannot see; or if we form any opinion in relation to our own planet in particular, whose poles have never been explored, would not reasoning from analogy bring us to the conclusion, that all bodies of matter are formed similar to that of Saturn, unless we have positive proof to the contrary? But it is not in Saturn alone that we find proof of the principles contended for by Captain Symmes. Most, if not all of the other planets, belonging to our system, whose relative situation afford us an opportunity of observation, appear to exhibit strong proofs that the same principles prevail throughout.

The planet Mars, exhibits concentric circles round one or the other of his poles, according as either is more or less in opposition to us. These circles appear alternately light and dark, exactly as they should, supposing the planet to be constituted of concentric spheres, the light being reflected from their verges on which it falls; and in which case the vacant space between the spheres would necessarily appear dark.

Sometimes he appears to us with a single ring at each pole. At such times his axis is at right angles, or nearly so, with a line drawn from the earth to his centre. This, I conceive, can be accounted for by the great refraction, occasioned by the increased density of his atmosphere around the poles, which appears to throw out the further sides of the verges so as to make them appear like rings, in the form they present themselves to our view. That such is the natural appearance may be evidenced by taking a small wooden sphere with open poles, and immerse it in a circular glass vessel filled with water; when viewed horizontally through the side of the glass, with the plane of the openings at a right angle with the visual ray, the refraction occasioned by the water, answering to the dense atmosphere of Mars, will apparently throw out the polar openings, and present you with a view, similar to the appearance of Mars, when his axis is at right angles to us.

Our next neighbour, Venus, between us and the sun, presents appearances at certain times, which seem to lead to the conclusion, that she also is constituted of concentric spheres. At times, when this planet is nearly a crescent, we are able to discover a deficient space near the tip of one of her horns. Admitting Venus to be constituted of concentric spheres with open poles; and supposing one of the vacant spaces, between two of her spheres about the polar openings, to traverse her horn or cusp, at the place where the dark space occurs,--it would present to us exactly such an appearance as does actually occur.

At other times, one of the horns or cusps of Venus is seen to wind inward as it were into the body of the planets, extending about fifteen degrees further than the other horn. This is an appearance which would also be presented, if Venus is formed according to Symmes's theory. And again, supposing one of her horns to terminate around the verge of a polar opening, in such way as to follow the curve of the verge for some distance, and the same appearances, I think, would occur. The axis of the planet not being at right angles with the polar openings, in its revolutions one side of the verge would be thrown much nearer to us than the other; and the different spheres revolving on their axes with different velocities would at different times exhibit to our view the verge of a different sphere.

The axis of the planet Jupiter is always at right angles with a line drawn to the earth, consequently his poles are never presented to us; but his belts, which we can and do see, seem to speak loudly in favour of a plurality of spheres. The most common appearance of Jupiter is, that he is surrounded by four belts; two bright and two dark, alternate to each other. But they are variable, presenting different appearances; at some times seven or eight belts are discoverable, at other times they appear interrupted in their length, and to increase and diminish alternately, running into each other, and again to separate into a number of belts of a smaller size. If Jupiter be a solid globe, I would enquire, how is it possible to account for those various changes in his belts, or even for their existence at all? Astronomers, I understand, have heretofore considered the phenomena of Jupiter's belts as altogether unaccountable. If he be a simple plain globe, those belts could not exist; or if they did, they must forever remain uniform, and not change their size and shape, or relative positions in respect to each other; neither could the spots on one belt rotate faster than those on another. But if we adopt the doctrine of concentric spheres, and that this planet is composed of a number of them, we can account at once for all the various appearances in a rational manner. The belts would be produced by the shadow cast on the space between the polar opening of one sphere and the adjoining one; that is, a portion of the sunshine, would be reflected from the verges of the spheres on which it fell; and another portion would appear to be swallowed by the intervening space. And if refraction bends the rays of vision between and under his spheres, as it bends a portion of the rays of the sun, so as to produce the apparent belts of comparative shade, then a very complete solution of those appearances, heretofore considered wonderful, would be afforded. The variation which has been observed in their number, shape, and dimensions, can in no way be better accounted for, than by concluding the planet to be constituted of a number of concentric spheres, of different breadths, revolving on different axes, and with different velocities, so as sometimes to present to our view the verge of one sphere, and sometimes that of another: and the rays of the sun falling on the parts of the verges presented to us, would occasion the diversified appearances which we discover. If some sections of both crusts of the spheres be formed of water alone, and become occasionally transparent, it will afford an additional reason for the varying phenomena attendant on these appearances, which may also be increased by alternate regions of water, ice, dry land, and snow.

Modern astronomers have long noticed the spots frequently visible on the sun. They are described as having the appearance of vast holes, or fractures, in his outer surface or crust, through which an inner appears to be seen. This, also, seems to favour the doctrine of different spheres. Notwithstanding the sun revolves very slowly on his axis, it is probable that his poles are open to a greater or less extent; but we can never see into them, owing perhaps to the earth, never being very far from the plane of the sun's equator, his being such a vast deal larger than the earth, and the atmosphere surrounding him so extremely luminous.

Very little doubt exists in my mind, that the poles of the sun and of Jupiter would appear somewhat like those of Mars or the rings of Saturn, were it not that the two former never present their axes, in any perceptible degree, towards us; neither does our satellite, the moon, ever present either of her poles to us: hence, though this may be in some degree open, owing to her axis always being nearly at right angles with a line drawn to the earth, we are not able to see whether they are open or not,--more especially as her atmosphere is so light and rare as not to produce much refraction. The vast round deep caverns observable on the surface of the moon, appear as if they might once have been polar openings; if so, she must frequently have changed her axis.

The spots of light which have at different periods been discovered by astronomers, on the surface of the moon, near her poles, when she was on the face of the sun, in an eclipse of that luminary, are perhaps best accounted for by supposing the sun to shine in, either at one of her polar openings or through a cavity on her further side, and appearing to us through one of her annular cavities, on this side, and near her poles: Or the sun being much larger than the moon, and the axis of the moon a little varied from right angles with the earth, the sun would shine through an annular cavity or open pole, so as to appear to us as a spot of light on the moon's disk.

The foregoing enumerated astronomical phenomena are some of the facts tending to confirm and elucidate Symmes's theory. They all have been long known to exist; yet I have never heard them accounted for to the satisfaction of my mind. Indeed, I believe some of them never was attempted to be accounted for in any manner whatever. I would, therefore, request the reader, who may deign to give the subject a serious thought, to reflect, that if all the celestial orbs are entire round globes, as the old theory considers them to be, on what principles, or in what manner, could they present the various appearances which I have enumerated? Why should the horns of Venus assume different shapes? What would make the appearance of belts on Jupiter? Or rings and concentric circles at the poles of Mars? And, finally, in what position could a round solid globe be placed, to exhibit the rings of Saturn, revolving with different velocities, as it respects each other, and spaces appearing between them and the body of the planet, through which stars, millions of miles beyond, can be distinctly seen? These are phenomena I should like to hear explained. On the principle of concentric spheres, they can all be accounted for in a most satisfactory manner. They appear perfectly plain and intelligible. What was thought to be involved in inexplicable mystery, and mid-night darkness now perfectly accords with the established laws of nature, and can be understood by the most ordinary capacity.

FOOTNOTES:

Physical World, p. 42.--Adam's Philosophy, vol. 4, p. 206; Philadelphia, 1807.

"Dr. Herschel has observed a faint illumination in the unlighted part of the planet Venus, which he ascribes to some phosphoric quality of its atmosphere." Editor's note to Adams' Philosophy, vol. 4, p. 204, Philadelphia, 1807.

I would now advert to a few of the known terrestrial facts, which have a tendency to support the theory advanced by Captain Symmes; such as the migration of animals, including beasts, birds, and fishes, in the arctic regions; and from refraction, and the variation of the compass observed in high northern latitudes.

It is a fact well attested by whalers and fishers in the northern seas; and one that almost every author who adverts to the northern fisheries confirms, that innumerable and almost incredible numbers of whales, mackerel, herring, and other migratory fish, annually come down in the spring season of the year, from the artic seas towards the equator. Some authors describe the shoals of herring alone, to be equal in surface to the island of Great Britain. Besides these, innumerable shoals of other fish also come down. These fish when they first come from the north in the spring, are in their best plight and fattest condition: but as the season advances, and they move on to the southward, they become poor; so much so, that by the time they get on the coast of France, or Spain, as fishermen say, they are scarce worth catching.

The history of the migratory fish affords strong grounds to conclude, that the shoals which come from the north, are like swarms of bees from the mother hive, never to return; particularly the herring and other small fish. They are not known to return in shoals: and it is doubted by some writers on the subject whether any of them ever return north again, or whether they are not entirely consumed by men, and by other fish.

Whalers and other fishermen who go to the north, generally prosecute their business in the seas between latitudes sixty and seventy degrees, where whales are most abundant. Pinkerton, in his voyages, states, that the Dutch, who at different periods got detained in the ice, and were compelled to winter in high northern latitudes, could find but few fish to subsist on during the winter: which proves that the migrating fish do not winter amongst, or on this side of the ice.--All these facts relative to fish, appear to be well authenticated. Now, were the earth a compact and solid spheroid, according to the old theory; and were the seas frozen nearly to the bottom at the poles, as we would be led to conclude, where could all those fish, that come down to us every spring, breed? or, if they even all returned in the autumn, and all the north were a sea that did not freeze even to the poles, it would require a great stretch of credulity to imagine where they could obtain food for the winter; or even if their source of food were inexhaustible, could the region of the pole afford space sufficient for their health, so as to migrate south in the spring? If the earth be not hollow, where could all those fish find room in winter? But on Symmes's plan, admitting the globe to be a hollow sphere, and the inner, or concave part, as habitable as without, the whole matter is at once explained.

Whales, and various fish, delight in cold regions. According to Symmes's Theory, a zone at a short distance beyond the real verge of the sphere, commencing at the highest point, in about latitude sixty-eight degrees, in the northern sea, near Norway, thence gradually declining to about latitude fifty degrees in the Pacific ocean, which is the lowest point, and thence regularly round again to the highest point. A certain distance beyond this, and short of the apparent verge, this zone, or icy circle exists, which is believed to be the coldest region of the earth. After passing this, we would advance into the interior of the globe, and into a milder clime. In the interior region, it is contended, those immense shoals of fish are propagated and grow, which annually come out and afford us such an abundant supply: nor does it appear that the interior parts of the sphere are altogether forsaken by the fish in summer; for shoals of fat mackerel and herring come down from the north in autumn, as well as in the spring.

The seal, another animal found in cold regions, is also said to migrate north twice each year; going once beyond the icy circle to produce their young; and again to complete their growth, always returning remarkably fat--an evidence that they find something more than snow and ice to feed on in the country to which they migrate.

Numerous other facts of importance, relative to the migration of quadrupeds, are well authenticated by travellers and others: particularly that of the rein-deer. In Rees's Cyclopedia, under the head, "Hudson's Bay," it is stated, that the rein-deer are seen in the spring season of the year, about the month of March or April, coming down from the north, in droves of eight or ten thousand, and that they are known to return northward in the month of October, when the snow becomes deep. Hudson's Bay is situated between sixty and sixty-five degrees north latitude. We are informed by professor Adams of St. Petersburgh, that on the northern coast of Asia, every autumn the rein-deer start north-eastwardly from the river Lena, and return again in the spring, in good condition: the mouth of the river Lena is in about latitude seventy degrees north. This appears to me rather a mystery according to the old theory of the earth, for why should those deer when the cold commences, seek a colder climate, and a more sterile country? The inhospitable coast of Liberia and Hudson's Bay, in the gloom of a dark winter, I should suppose, would be cold enough, without their seeking to spend the winter among nothing but eternal mountains of ice at the pole; where nature must be robed in snows and crowned with storms.

Hearne also states, that the white or arctic foxes are, some years, remarkably plentiful; and always come from the north; that their numbers almost exceed credibility; that it is well known none of them ever migrate again to the northward; and that naturalists are at a loss to know where they originate. He also mentions that all kinds of game, as well as fish, in those high latitudes, are at some seasons excessively plentiful, and at others extremely scarce.

These facts strongly corroborate the doctrine of a hollow sphere: otherwise, why should the rein-deer, and other animals, migrate north instead of south; as our Buffalo on the plains of Missouri do, when pressed with snow and cold weather? Instinct generally leads animals to fruitful and productive, rather than unproductive, regions; why then proceed north on the approach of winter, unless in expectation of finding a warmer climate, or, at least, a more mild and plentiful country, beyond the icy circle? Independent of the immense droves of rein-deer, great numbers of musk-oxen, white bears, and white foxes, spend their winters towards the north; which tends to establish the fact, that a considerable extent of land must exist in that quarter of the earth. This, however, would infringe on the space necessary to accommodate the vast quantities of fish which appear to be propagated in that region, if the old system were true.

If we were to judge of the internal surface of the sphere, by its animal productions,--admitting that those animals heretofore enumerated, are propagated there,--we should conclude that the internal region of the earth is as much more favourable to the support of animal life, as the rein-deer is larger than our deer, and the white bear larger than our bear; and, consequently, we must conclude that there are more salubrious climates and better countries within, than any we have yet discovered without.

Hearne also informs us that swans, geese, brants, ducks, and other wild water-fowl, are so numerous about Hudson's Bay, in the spring and summer, that the company every season salt up vast quantities of them, sometimes sixty or seventy hogs-heads. He enumerates ten different species of geese, several of which, lay their eggs and raise their young in some country unknown, even to the Indians; as their eggs and young are never seen by them, neither have the most accurate observers been able to discover where they make their winter residence; as it is well known that they do not migrate to the southward; but few of them ever pass to the south, and some of the species are said never to have been seen south of latitude fifty-nine degrees. Most of those fowls molt or shed their feathers in a peculiar manner, in summer, and become nearly naked. Hence it would seem that they must breed in winter while absent, for it is impossible that they could lay and sit whilst molting; whereas, the migratory geese and ducks of this country are not known to shed their feathers, in any great degree; and are well known to raise their young in the summer, whilst in the north. It may, therefore, be inferred, that many of those water-fowls, which Hearne describes, raise their young beyond the icy circle and within the sphere. As many of the ten species of geese he saw there, are unknown further south, it establishes the fact, that they do not come to the south to winter.

In the papers of the Honourable D. Barrington, and Colonel Beaufoy, on the possibility of approaching the north pole, read before the Royal Society of London, there is an extensive collection of instances cited, where navigators have reached high northern latitudes; from which it appears to be well authenticated, that navigators have in numerous instances reached the latitude of eighty-two, eighty-three, and eighty-four degrees: and some are said to have sailed as far north as eighty-eight and eighty-nine degrees. It is almost uniformly stated, that in those high latitudes, the sea is clear of ice, or nearly so, and the weather moderate. To cite the various instances in which navigators have sailed far north, would be too tedious: the whole book principally consists of a series of facts, which have a strong bearing on the subject, and to which I would refer the reader who feels disposed to investigate. The whole appears to strengthen the opinion, that there is a barrier, or circle of ice, about where the whalers go to fish; but, when that is passed, we come to an open sea, and a more temperate region.

The sea is stated to be open, and always clear of ice, even in the middle of winter, on the northern part of Spitzbergen, which is situated in latitude eighty degrees north; and the further north the more clear it is of ice. But, at the same season, on the southern parts of Spitzbergen, the sea is bound up with solid and compact ice.

If the doctrine be true, that the earth is a solid spheroid, the cold must increase regularly as we approach the pole, and, consequently, vegetation invariably diminish: this, however, is ascertained not to be the fact. Nova-Zembla, which is situated in north latitude seventy-six degrees, produces no timber, nor even a blade of grass, consequently, all the quadrupeds which frequent it, are foxes and bears; both carniverous animals. On the coast of Greenland, about latitude sixty-five and seventy degrees, neither timber nor grass grows; while on the northern parts of Spitzbergen, they have rein-deer, which are often exceedingly fat; and Mr. Grey mentions three or four species of plants which grow and flower there, during the summer.

On any meridian passing through England, it is ascertained to be more temperate at the latitude of eighty degrees north, than at seventy-three degrees: and both Pinkerton and Barrington inform us, that beyond the latitude of seventy-five degrees, the north winds are frequently warm in winter; that in the middle of winter for several weeks, there falls almost continued rain; and that vegetables and animals are more abundant at the latitude of eighty degrees than at seventy-six degrees.

It has long been observed that the climates vary very considerably on the same parallels of latitude. New York, which is situated in latitude 40 degrees, is known to be considerably colder in the winter than London, which is situated in latitude fifty-five degrees; and the parallel of latitude forty degrees on the plains of Missouri is much colder than the city of New-York. The climate at St. Peters, on the Mississippi, which is in latitude forty-six degrees, is said to be considerably colder than Quebec. This difference of climate has, by some, been attempted to be accounted for, on the principle that land is colder than water, and that the cold is occasioned by the large portion of land in the continent of America: however, I submit to the consideration of the reader, whether so great a difference could arise from a cause of this nature.

In the northern sea, between Spitzbergen and the continent of America, there is a strong current, which always comes from the north, and sets southwardly. It has been stated by some, that, in the spring season of the year, the water of this current is warmer and fresher than the surrounding water of the sea. Various other currents have, at different times, been observed, in different parts of the sea, setting from the north. Floating southwardly on these currents, have been seen large masses of ice, from fresh water rivers, with wolves and bears occasionally on them. New fallen trees have also been seen floating from the north; and various kinds of timber, some of which the species have hitherto been unknown, are frequently found lodged on the northern part of the coast of Norway, having drifted from some region still farther north. Trees have also been found floating in the ocean at latitude eighty degrees; when no timber is known to grow north of latitude seventy degrees. Also, seeds unknown to our botanists, and those of tropical plants have been found drifted on the coast of Norway, and parts adjacent, many of which were in so fresh a state as to vegetate and grow; when it is well known that no plant of their species comes to perfection in any known climate far without the tropics. And, what makes the matter particularly extraordinary, is, that these things appear to be drifted by currents coming from the north; when, according to the old theory, we must believe the sea to be always frozen at the poles, which would render it difficult, if not impossible, to account for the existence of the currents at all.

In the United States of America, and in Europe, the Aurora Borealis is always seen to the north: But many of those travellers and navigators, who penetrated to high northern latitudes, observed the Aurora Borealis in the south, and never in the north. The region in which it is believed to exist, is supposed to be about the place where the verge commences, and about fifty or sixty miles above the plane of the earth's surface; and that the travellers who discovered these appearances south of them, were at that time beyond the verge.

The Indians discovered by Captain Ross, on the coast of Baffin's bay, in the summer of 1818, in latitude seventy-five degrees fifty-five minutes north, when interrogated from whence they came, pointed to the north, where, according to their account, there were "plenty of people;" that it was a warmer country; and that there was much water there. And when Captain Ross informed them that he came from the contrary direction, pointing to the south, they replied, "that could not be, because there was nothing but ice in that direction:" Consequently these people must live in a country not composed of ice; for it appears they deem such an one uninhabitable. Hence we must infer, if the relation given by Captain Ross be correct, that, north of where they then were, the climate becomes more mild, and is habitable; a change, the cause of which is not easily accounted for on the old philosophic principles.

In high northern latitudes, owing to refraction, or some other peculiar circumstance, which hitherto has not, to my knowledge, been attempted to be accounted for, the extent of vision appears to be greatly increased; so that objects, much further than the ordinary distance, are distinctly seen; frequently appearing elevated above the sea, or their real situation; and their image sometimes pictured in the sky. The real objects, themselves, are sometimes seen with the naked eye one hundred and forty or one hundred and fifty miles, and sometimes at the astonishing distance of two hundred miles. These facts are well attested by Captain Ross and other navigators. How this can be accounted for, on the formation maintained by the old theory, I cannot conjecture. I believe it is admitted that the deck of a vessel at sea, any where between the equator and latitude fifty or sixty degrees, cannot be discovered, even by the best telescope, at a greater distance than twelve or fifteen miles. Nay, were there no end to vision, and could the eye penetrate two hundred miles through our atmosphere with sufficient clearness, it would require an observer to be elevated about five miles, before he could discover an object on the surface of the earth two hundred miles distant. But, on the edge of the verge of the polar opening, if the atmosphere were clear, and the power of vision strong enough, an observer might discover objects situated on the verge at any point all round the sphere; as they would be on an exact plane with the observer. And on the contrary, travelling across the verge from the convexity to the concavity of the sphere, a very few miles make objects disappear.

All northern navigators and travellers agree, that high north the sun becomes less bright, and the sky darker, than in more southern latitudes. Is not this owing to the rays of the sun being refracted round the verge of the polar opening? Another circumstance, observed by navigators, who have visited high latitudes is, that the latitude and longitude, as found by celestial observation, frequently differ very materially, sometimes as much as one half, from that given by the log-line. It has also been observed that the mercury in the barometer is less fluctuating in northern regions, than it is further south.

Those appearances observed in the southern hemisphere, which are termed Magellanic clouds, by navigators, have not, so far as I know, been accounted for. They are three in number, of an irregular shape, and observed by night in the South Atlantic, and the south-east parts of the Pacific oceans, but never visible in the eastern parts of the Indian ocean: their colour is like that of far distant mountains, on which the sun is shining. In the one sea they appear due south, and in the other to the left. They are stationary, appearing perpetually fixed at a certain height, and in a particular situation, as viewed from any given place. The stars and the heavens, in their diurnal revolutions, sweep by them, and they remain the same. To the navigator, who proceeds to the east or west, they appear to be more or less to the right or left of the meridian, in proportion as he changes his longitude; and as he sails south, they increase in height, until they reach the zenith, and finally become north, when seen by an observer south of the straits of Magellan, which is in latitude fifty-two degrees south. Captain Symmes accounts for the appearance of these clouds by the great refractive power of the atmosphere about the polar openings; causing the opposite side of the verge to appear pictured in the sky, as navigators inform us objects do sometimes appear, in the arctic regions; and in the manner Scoresby's ship appeared in the sky, with every particular about her so accurately represented, as to be at once identified by the observers, though the vessel, at that time, was at such a distance as to render it rather incredible how she could be seen at all. As proof of this position, Captain Symmes alleges, that the relative position, shape, and proportions of these clouds, agree in their general outlines with the southern part of New-Zealand, the southeast part of New-Holland, and the whole of Van-Dieman's land, which are situated on, and near to the verge of the sphere, opposite to where the clouds are visible. These clouds are only seen in the night when the atmosphere is clear, at which time the sun is shining on the islands in question. Hence it is alleged, that from these facts, their relative appearance is deducible. As we are never sensible that the rays of light are refracted by the medium through which they pass before they reach our visual organs; we frequently imagine objects to be situated where they really are not; and such is believed to be the case as respects Van-Dieman's and the circumjacent land, as before described.

Franklin, in his journey far north, on the continent of America, discovered a cloud, which appeared to remain always in the same position, and which the Indians informed him was permanent. Not having the book at hand, I cannot now advert particularly to what he says on the subject: but, from memory only, recollect that he states something to that effect. If such an appearance exist there, may it not be accounted for in the same manner as the Magellanic clouds?

Navigators, who have sailed far north, admit the variation of the needle to be excessive. Captain Ross found it in Baffin's Bay, to be as much as one hundred and ten degrees; and Parry, during his voyage in 1822, found it so changed, that the needle pointed within about fourteen degrees of south. All, I believe, concur, that this is a phenomenon which universally occurs in high northern latitudes; but it has hitherto remained unexplained. I believe, according to the old theory, the needle is imagined to be attracted by something at or near the pole: were this supposition correct, the needle would uniformly maintain its polarity on proceeding north, on any given meridian, until you arrived at the very pole itself. The possibility of a moving magnetic cause is difficult, if not impossible, to be reconciled with a solid globe; yet that the magnetic needle does vary on the same meridian, and to a most extraordinary degree, in high northern latitudes, is confirmed beyond all doubt. Why not then urge the variableness of the magnetic cause against the possibility of a solid globe?

According to the doctrine of hollow spheres, this whole mystery, of the variation of the compass, can be satisfactorily explained. The magnetic needle, it is believed, regards the centre of the polar opening, and not the pole or axis of the earth. It will be recollected, that the axis of the earth, being at an angle of twelve or fifteen degrees from the plane of the polar openings, causes one part of the verge to extend farther north than the other, the highest part of which is nearly on a meridian running through Spitzbergen, in about latitude sixty-eight degrees, and the lowermost side in about the fiftieth degree. Now in proceeding north on the first meridian, running near Spitzbergen, there ought to be no variation of the needle until you arrive at the apparent verge, when the needle would cease to traverse; and by proceeding onwards, would turn and point south. Should you proceed north, on a meridian west of this, when you approached the apparent verge, the needle would seem to turn west, but in reality, it would be the meridian turning to the right along the verge to its highest or most northerly point; the needle keeping at a right angle with the verge. And, in like manner, pursuing a course north, on a meridian east of Spitzbergen, on your approach to the apparent verge, the needle would still direct its course at a right angle into the polar opening, the meridian would here wind to the left, and conduct you to the highest point of the apparent verge, north of Spitzbergen. Hence the variation of the needle would be east in Asia, and west in America, which I am told is the fact. From an examination of the variation of the compass, as ascertained in different degrees of latitude and longitude, it increases as you proceed north, and west; which would be exactly the case in accordance with the theory of concentric spheres.

Admitting the earth to be a solid globe, and the cause of magnetism to be some attractive power at the pole, how could the needle vary differently on the same meridian, in different latitudes, at the same period of time, or vary at the same place, at different periods of time? But, admit the doctrine contended for, by the advocates of concentric spheres, and it can be satisfactorily explained. The observations of modern astronomers, have ascertained, that the poles, or axis of the earth, are not always directed to the same fixed star; and, of consequence, that the axis does not always remain parallel to itself. This variation is discovered to be about fifty-one minutes annually; which would make a degree in about seventy-one years: hence the needle always pointing to the polar opening, would vary in about that proportion, at the same place, in the same period of time.

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