Read Ebook: Syvistä hetteistä by Salmela Marja

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THE GREAT FORCES, THEIR CHARACTER AND OPERATIONS.

In the forces, light, and heat, what immensity of power is represented! Strangely enough we have ever imagined these forces to be the unaided work of the sun, as though that luminary could be capable of sending forth in undiminished exuberance, such marvels of force, during all the ages, and remain itself unexhausted!

The constitution of these two retro-acting spheres, and consequently of all the others of the heavenly host, at this point demands our attention. How are the spheres made up? How speaks the earth? The earth with which we are familiar--our sample--is formed of a slight crust, a core, to a greater or less extent and degree incandescent, and measuring 250,000 millions of cubic miles in dimensions, also an envelope which we call the atmosphere.

We may not neglect to make account of so vast an element, and so vital and preponderating, in all globes.

We are thus compelled to answer the question, What part in the economy of nature is this great central core particularly fitted to perform? What its function among the great forces?

The great problem of the age, which scientists are intently engaged in solving, is the correlation of the leading forces already adverted to. Thus far light, heat, electricity, magnetism, chemical action, vital action, cohesion, etc., have been proved to be parts of one great whole. Now, since the especial characteristic of the great earth-core is heat, it comes directly into relationship with the forces mentioned. How then are its forces expended? Through what channels do they manifest their presence? The philosophical mind would most naturally associate with it the idea of stupendous magnetic power. We may well suppose such a power extending its influence through and beyond the earth-crust, reaching out towards the moon, and retro-acting with that body in preserving their mutual relations.

Does not this mighty influence reach out toward the sun also, and act conjointly with that great central orb in producing results, which to us, have ever been great mysteries.

FOOTNOTES:

Appendix, p. 98.

Appendix, p. 99.

Appendix, p. 99.

The earth's core constitutes nearly 98/100 of its entire mass.

SUNLIGHT.

Analogy teaches us that the earth is seen from the moon and planets, even as they are seen from the earth. Yet there is nothing upon the face of the whole earth which is capable of reflecting the slightest amount of the sun's rays to those spheres. The fields, forests, rocks, and seas, only absorb light, they do not reflect it. In this phenomenon, therefore, there is no element of specular reflection. It consists rather of the lighting up of the static vito-magnetic fluid of our atmosphere, by the great solar current. The atmosphere, thus vivified, discloses our presence to those orbs, and in like manner, their presence to the inhabitants of the earth.

The light of the planets is therefore in no sense a borrowed light, since the action which generates and transmits it, is purely co-operative. Otherwise there could be no light at the earth, or planets.

The bodies of the planets are in like manner invisible; we behold but the illumined atmosphere of each sphere. Thus the moon and planets, to be visible, must possess atmospheres.

While ever present, light is being incessantly replenished; its action being instantaneous. The calculations of RO?MER, founded upon observations made through spaces of 382 and 568 millions of miles of distance, should not be too confidently accepted, especially as the results of such conclusions are so vitally important. When we consider that with our best telescopes directed towards the moon, less than a quarter of a million of miles distant, nothing really satisfactory may be discerned, what value, therefore, may be attached to statements founded upon such thoroughly unreliable data?

BRADLEY'S estimate of the velocity of light, founded upon his study of "the aberration of light," is even less worthy of consideration.

FOOTNOTES:

Appendix, p. 99.

This term is employed as being most exact and comprehensive, as this fluid is now known to be the source of all life and all attractions.

SUN-HEAT.

Sun-heat is another product of the same retro-action between the sun and earth; consequently it has the same range and the same boundaries as when it is viewed as light.

The scientists of to-day may well look after the soundness of their favorite theories of the great physical forces; for the uncertain tenure of old theories, by reason of recent discoveries, is becoming but too manifest. New phenomena are now observed which require solutions not met by present hypotheses. The nebular hypothesis which has so long possessed the scientific mind has, by the discovery of the moons of Mars, become a thing of the past. According to M. MAICHE, water is found to be no longer the old-fashioned conventional oxygen and hydrogen, but essentially a new element must be considered in estimating its composition. Light is ascertained to be as veritable a substance as water. The sun is recognized to be dark, cool, and habitable. Messages go through the air from kite to kite ten miles apart without visible agency. Telephonic sounds leap from wire to wire through quite ten feet of space.

The present theories of the production and dissemination of sun-heat, are simply accepted for want of better, and not because they account satisfactorily for the phenomena.

The first and most prominent is the combustion theory, which, though bearing the seal of ages, is obnoxious both to common and philosophic reasoning. This theory presupposes a consumption of material beyond all conception, and the supply of which has been no small tax upon the scientific imagination. The source of this supply has been claimed to be the subsidence of useless worlds, and of asteroids, and meteors, showered down upon its surface. Estimates have been carefully made, and we are gravely informed of the probable amount of combustive material required to supply the sun's demands for given periods. It is said that the coal-fields of Pennsylvania, which would supply the world's consumption for centuries, would keep the sun's rate of emission for considerably less than 1/1,000 part of a second. POUILLET estimated the quantity of heat emitted by the sun per hour to be equal to the supply of a layer of anthracite coal ten feet thick, spread over the whole surface of the sun.

The theory advocated by HELMHOLTZ, and by many other scientists, of "the gradual contraction of the solar orb," and that of SECCHI, "the dissociation of compound bodies in the sun's substance," are attempts after a more consistent philosophy.

The foregoing theories pre-suppose the sun to be a glowing fiery mass, from which, in all directions, issue radiations of heat and light into space. Of this enormous quantity of radiated heat, the earth is supposed to receive but 1/2,000,000,000 part.

This combustion theory therefore calls for an enormous expenditure of material for generating heat and light, together with a still further expenditure of force for projecting these into all space, at all distances. All these theories are therefore inconsistent with the immutable law of the Conservation of Force.

In seeking the source of supply of heat and light, we are compelled to look for a philosophy more consistent than any hitherto advanced. Controlled too much by the literal evidence of the senses and the superficial appearance of things, we have ever regarded the sun as ALL ALONE in developing and exercising these great forces.

All space may rationally be regarded as complete vacuum, thus presenting no resistance nor obstacles to the free progress of the retro-acting elements. Distance is then virtually annihilated, and Mercury, 37,000,000 of miles from the sun, and Neptune, 2,800,000,000 of miles, stand alike in their relations with the great central orb.

The part performed by the sun may but feebly be conceived. Within its vast proportions may be found every element suited to all requirements.

It is a well-established fact that from the equator to the poles a continuous magnetic flood is ever in motion.

The phenomenon, the aurora borealis, or polaris, has never been satisfactorily explained. It is acknowledged as purely magnetic in character, and to be due to the passage of currents upward from the earth. It has received the regard due to a mere negative though brilliant exhibition, whereas the character, extent, and significance of its manifestations should have caused it to be greeted, and studied, as the index of the operation of very positive cosmical functions.

It is now well known that a number of currents may pass in each direction, at the same time, over one and the same telegraph wire; and in like manner, great solar currents may pass to and fro without interference.

FOOTNOTES:

Appendix, p. 99.

Appendix, p. 100.

Appendix, p. 100.

Appendix, p. 101.

Appendix, p. 102.

THE SEASONS.

A philosophy more exact and consistent may be found in the development of the theory already advanced, and which is illustrated in the following plates.

Through this line the heat-producing functions of these great spheres are in operation in the highest degree.

This line of magnetic, or heat activity, consequently varies with the earth's movements. On the 20th of June the flood of summer heat overspreads the northern portions of the earth; the sun thence apparently turns southward, and with its departure the relations of the line of heat activity change. The city of New York, which on the 20th of June is found nearest the centre of the solar current , is, on the 21st of December, located at its greatest distance from the line of magnetic or heat intensity , where the heat-producing forces are in operation in but low degree.

GRAVITY.

The power thus developed is exercised in preserving the relative positions of the two bodies, and, on the part of the earth, as we know, in drawing unto itself all objects within its influence.

The same current, therefore, which lights up our earth, and which gives to it its requisite supply of heat, at the same time indues it with the power of attraction.

FOOTNOTES:

Appendix, p. 102.

THE ATMOSPHERE.

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