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UNIVE	^,Y OF pirTSSllRO*"

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

Jjarlington jiVl.eiiiorial JLiorary

SYMMES'S THEORY

DEMONSTRATING THAT THE EARTH IS HOLLOW, HABITABLE WITHIX,

AND

WIDELY OPEN ABOUT THE POLES,

By a Citizen of the United States,

"There are more things in Heaven and EARTH, Horatio,

•' Than are dreamt of in your philosophy !" SHAKSPEARE.

" If this man be erroneous, who appears to be so sanguine and persevering in hii opinions, what withholds us but our sloh. our self-will, and distrust in the right cause, ihat we do not give him gentle mee irgs and a gentle dismission ; ihat we debate not and examii;e the matter thoroughly, with liberal and frt-quent audience; if not for his sake, yet for our own ? seeing hat no man who hath tasted learning', but will confess he many ways of profiting by those, who, not content with stale receipts, are able to manage and set forth new positions to the world. And were they but as tlie dust and ci > deis of our feet, so long as in that notion, they may yet serve to polish and brighten the armory of truth; even for Ihatrespnct they are not utterly to be cast away," MILTON.

CINCINNATI:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BX MOHtJAN, LOOSE AND FISHEB,

1826.

DISTRICT OF OHIO, TO WIT.

Be it remembered, that on the fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six and in the fiftieth year of the American inde- pendence, Messrs. Morgan, Lodge and Fisher, of said District, hath deposited in this office, the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as proprietors, in the words and figures following, to wit:

" Syrames's theory of concentric spheres; demonstrating <•' that the earth is hollow, habitable within, and widely " open about the poles: by a citizen of the United States. " There are more things in Heaven and Earth Horatio, than " are dreamt of in your philosophy" Shakespeare, " If " this man be erroneous who appears to be so sanguine and " persevering in his opinions, what withholds us but our " sloth, our self will, and distrust in the right cause, that we " do not give him gentle meetings and a gentle dismission; ^' that we debate not and examine the matter thoroughly, "■ with liberal and frequent audience: if not for his sake, " vet for our own ; seeing that no man who has tasted learn- *•' ing but will confess the many ways of profiting by those, " who, not content with stale receipts, are able to manage " and set forth new positions to the world. And were they " but as the dust and cinders of our feet, so long as in that ^' notion, they may yet serve to polish and brighten the "armory of truth: even for that respect, they are not " utterly to be cast away." Milton,"

In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, entitled " An act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books to the proprietors of such copies during the times therein men- tioned;"' and also of the act entitled "An act supple- mentary to an act entitled an act for the encourage- ment of learning by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints."

Attest, WILLIAM KEY BOND, Clekk.

r

ADVERTISEMENT.

^, The writer of the following work is said

to be a resident of the Miami country. After

reading Captain Symmes's numbers, and

hearing some of his lectures, he wrote the

work, it seems, in the first place without the

idea of publication ; but afterwards corrected

and enlarged it, and left it with a friend of

Captain Symmes for publication, sometime

> Ui the autumn of the year 1824. The nett

} profits were then, as now, to be paid to Cap-

■" tain Symmes, towards enabling him to pro-

;.mote and establish his principles: but owing

*' to the absence of the author, and other cir-

tjumstances, it has remained unpublished till

^now.

2 The author has chosen to present the work

^anonymously; and has obtained the promise

'of Captain Symmes to forbear criticising it

, in manuscript, — reserving any remarks or

-^corrections, he may wish to make, for future

publication. Some errors of the press will

doubtless be discovered; as (in the absence

.■rpi both Compiler and Theorist) there was

'f^o proof-reader at hand, sufficiently versed in

othe New Theory, at all times, to detect them.

^ THE PUBLISHERS.

Cincinnati, April, \ZZQ.

sro tilt ^uuit*

THE following little treatise, was written in the autumn of the year eighteen hundred and twenty-four; when from the urgency of my common avocation, and from a desire to remain incognito, the manuscript was placed in the hands of a friend of Captain Symmes for publication. As it was not my intention to seek a publisher, or make advances to faciliate its progress, I left the country for a considerable length of time, without paying any further attention to the subject. Various difficulties intervening, delayed the publica- tion, until subsequent events, have destroyed my chief inducement ; which was, that these speculations, compiled from a cursory ex- amination of facts, should go forth as a har- binger, merely, and not ''^follow in the wake,^"* of public investigation.

THE AUTHOR.

March, 182:6.

THE author of the following pages does not write be- cause he is a learned man; he is conscious of the reverse; and that his merits give him no claim to that appellation; neither does he make this attempt because he is well ac- quainted with either the new, or the old theories of the earth; but, from having observed that the Theory of Con- centric Spheres has been before the world for six or seven years, without attracting the attention of the scientific, except in _^a very few instances; — few besides the author himself having come forward to advocate its correctness. The newspaper scribblers, who have noticed the theory at all, have almost uniformly appeared to consider it as a fit subject on which to indulge their wit, the sallies of which, clothed in all the humour and satire their fancies could suggest, have in some degree had a tendency to throw around it an air of levity very unfavourable to se- rious investigation. But to deal in sarcasm is not always reasoning; and the truth is not to be ascertained by in dulging in ridicule.

Considerations of this nature, first induced the author to devote a short time to the task of investigating a subject, to which he had paid but little attention, and to give the several papers, published by Captain Symmes, a cursory- examination; in the course of which, he noted such of Symmes's principles and proofs as attracted his atten- tion, as they occurred; and has since presumed to ar- range them in such order as his own fancy suggested; supposing that, as they had struck forcibly on his mind, they might perhaps attract the attention of some other person, whose habits of thinking may be similar to his A2

Vr. PREFACE.

own. He has in a few instances inserted, in addition to those which he has seen advanced by Captain Symmes, such reasons and proofs in support of the theory as oc- curred to him at the time. However, he has no claim to originality; as he has made a liberal use of the publica- tions of Captain Symmes, as well as the remarks made on them by others, which came in his way.

The reader will not look lor a complete analysis of the theory in this short treatise; it is not intended as such by the author, his object being merely to attract the atten- tion of the learned, who are in the habit of indulging in more abstruse researches into the operation and eflfect of natural causes; and should it be found to merit the atten. tion of such, it is hoped their enquiries may be so directed as to accelerate the march of scientific improvement, en- large the field of philosophic speculation, and open to the world new objects of ambition and enterprise.

Should he therefore be fortunate enough to make any observations, or indulge in any reflections, in the course of the following chapters, that may merit the attention of the reader, he hopes they may in some degree atone for the many defects which will doubtless be discovered; with a sincere wish, that gentlemen of literature and sci- ence, who have made deeper researches than he pretends to, will have the goodness to correct them.

The author does not write for Fame: as anonymous compilers (and it is the author^'s wish to be considered in no other light) can never expect their true names to be inscribed on her records: neither do pecuniary consider- ations influence him, as he expects to reap no profit from the publication.

Should it attract public curiosity to such a degree, as to induce the sale of more copies than will be sufficient to meet the expense of printing, it is the author's desire, and

PREFACE. VII.

he does hereby direct, and fully authorize the publishers, to pay over the nett profits to Captain Symmes, for the purpose of enabling him further to prosecute his studies; and to aid him in the accomplishment of his designs.

Whether Captain Symmes has hit upon an important truth in the economy of nature, as respects the organiza- tion of matter, it is not for the author to determine; to the more scientific we must look for a solution of the problem; to them it is submitted. The following pages are pre- sented with no other intention, than as a hint to elicit the attention of others, who are qualified to investigate, and improve the subject. Should they, on examination, con- sider the matter worthy of their investigation, it will doubtless receive the attention which its importance so greatly demands. If it be erroneous, it is hoped they will detect, and expose its fallacy to the world; giving at the same time rational and satisfactory explanations of the many facts, and appearances which Captain Symmes ad. duces as proofs of his positions.

August, A. D. 1824.

TO

Sir- to you I would apologize for the liberties I have taken with your Theory, and your publications in relation to it, which have made their appearance in the newspa- pers of the day. When I commenced this compilation, in support of your doctrine of Concentric Spheres, [ had no view to its publication. 1 had collected all the papers on the subject, upon which I could lay my hands, with the intention of investigating the Theory for my own sat- isfaction: but the scattered and irregular ordpr in which I found them, and in which they must necessarily appear in detached Newspaper essays, published at different and distant times, induced me to attempt araethodical airange- ment, for the purpose of facilitating my own enquiries. When I had completed this, the same reasons, added to the consideration, that you have not only invited, but so- licited the investigation of your theory, declaring it " as free as air,'' to every person, to make such use of it as he may think proper, influenced me to conclude on publishing the result of my investigations. Having come to this de- termination, i have added a Preface, an Introductory chap- ter, and a few things in conclusion, to make it look more like a Book.

As I have not seen all your publications in the newspa- pers, if I have not fully understood, or if I have misrep-

APOLOGY. IX.

resented yoi>r theory in any particular, I assure you it has been done unintentionally — it has arisen entirely from mv want of adequate information j and 1 hope you will, in the spirit of candour 9nd good nature, pardon and correct any errors into which I may have fallen. Had an opportunity offered, and could I have done it with propriety, 1 should certainly have submitted the manuscript to your revis- ion, previous to its publication. However, as this sketch is only intended to elicit further investigation, and can only live until a formal and systematic treatise shall appear from your pen, I hope you will permit it to pass as the Pioneer to a more complete demonstration of your Theory of Concentric Spheres,

I AM Sir, One of the believers in that Theory,-^

THE AUTHOR. 1824.

(9®17^M'^S<

CHAPTER I.

Containing an introductory glance at some of the differ- ent Theories and Opinions which have been embraced respecting the formation of the Earth, and the reception which those Theories met with from the world when first promulgated .

CHAPTER II.

Symmes's Theory; comprehending his description of the form of the earth, and of the other orbs in the Uni- verse; his principles of gravity, and the points wherein he differs from the old or generally received theories.

CHAPTER III.

Symmes's Theory supported by arguments drawn from the principles inherent in matter, and the consequences resulting from motion ; tending to show that, from neces- sity, matter must form itself into concentric circles or spheres, such as Symmes describes the earth to be com- posed ol.

CHAPTER IV.

Arguments in support of Symmes's Theory, drawn from Celestial appearances.

CHAPTER V.

The Theory of Concentric Spheres, supported by ar- guments drawn from Terrestrial facts; such as the mi- gratioD of animals to and from the arctic regions, and

CONTENTS. XI.

from refraction, and the variation of the compass, observed in high northern latitudes.

CHAPTER VI.

Facts tending to illustrate and prove the existence of a mid plane spaoe, situated between the concave and convex surfaces of the sphere.

CHAPTER VII.

Several objections, made to the Theory of Concentric Spheres, answered, particularly the one that it contra- venes religious opinions; demonstrating that the earth, and the other orbs of the universe, are formed on the best pos. sible plan for the maintenance and support of organic life.

CHAPTER VIII. General observations on the Theory of Concentric Spheres, with a few suggestions to the Congress of the United States, to authorize and fit out an Expedition for the discovery of the In'erior Pegions; or, at least, to ex- plore the northern parts of the continent of America.

CHAPTER IX.

A few brief suggestions, relative to the description, ton- nage, and number of vessels, necessarj to be equipped for a voyage of discovery to the interior regions of the earth; the number of men necessary to be employed on board, articles necessary for the outfit, and the probable expense attending the same ; also, as to the route most proper to be pursued to accomplish the object of the expedition,

CHAPTER X.

A short Biographical sketch of Captain Symmes; with some observations on the ti eatment which he has met with in the advancement of his theory.

THE THEORY

OP

COKCSNTILIC SPBZSHES

CHAPTER I.

Containing an introductory glance at some of the different Theories and Opinions -jL^hich have been advanced respecting ike formation of the Earth, and the reception which those Theories met tsoithfrom the world when frst promulgated.

IT often happens, that those who have been early taught to believe a certain set of principles and doctrines as true, whether in philosophy, religion, or politics, adhere to them with the utmost pertinacity during the remainder of their lives. Any new theory, or principle, is resisted with peculiar energy; and, however inconsistent or untrue their favorite systems may be, they are disposed to make principles and facts bend to themj and would sooner call in question the gene- ral and immutable laws of nature, than the correctness of their own opinions. Perhaps this pertinacious adherence to prevalent and B

14 THE THEORY

received opinions has retarded the progress of philosophic improvement more than the want of bold, original, and enquiring genius. In former times those who cultivated sci- ence,or rather those who were called learned, generally based their philosophy on the doc- trines of Aristotle; which, as they had been taught to reverence them from their infancy, had become almost interwoven with their constitutions. Hence, though time has un- folded to us their errors, during several cen- turies, suspicion never hinted their fallibility. The doctrine of the revolutions of the earth, and other planets; of gravitation, magnetism, and other properties now known to belong to matter; have each in their turn met with a strong opposition from the most learned men living at the time of their discovery. But, notwithstanding this opposition, in all ages, a few bold, enquiring minds have had the firmness to dissent from the established doc- trines of the schoolmen, and to lay the foun- dation of new systems, the correctness of which subsequent improvements in science have more or less demonstrated to the world. Although nearly six thousand years have elapsed since man has been placed upon the earth, he yet knows but little of its formation.

OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES. 15

Notwithstanding all our enterprise, all our boasted acquirements, and discoveries, its true form yet remains uncertain land although admitted that it is not quite eight thousand miles in diameter, we still have never ex- plored its extent. A space of nearly forty degrees of latitude remains as little known to us, as if it were a part of the surface of Sat- urn, or an orb revolving round a star of the eighth magnitude. We know nothing of the inhabitants of those regions, or what kind of animate beings exist in them.

It was a prevailing opinion among the an- cients, the correctness of which they for ages never called in question, that the temperate zones of our globe were alone habitable.— The torrid zone they imagined was composed of nothing but sandy deserts, scorched up by the vertical and insupportable beams of a burning sun. The frigid zones, they believed were begirt with eternal snows, and "thick ribbed ice," which rendered them inaccessible to man, and incapable of supporting animal or vegetable life. Hence none ventured to approach them.

Subsequent discoveries have, however, taught us the errors of the ancients. We now know that, the torrid zone teems with

16 THE THEORY

organic life; and possesses, in many parts, a population more dense than the temperate, and is equally well adapted to its support: nay, we even find the temperature of that region to be such that it contains mountains capped with perpetual snows, which the beams of a July sun do not dissolve. It has also been ascertained that the frigid zones are partially inhabited: but it seems that a certain timid dread, perhaps in part attributa- ble to the prejudices imbibed from our ances- tors, has prevented our exploring the extent of those regions. However, as far as civilized man has yet ventured to penetrate towards the poles, we find that plants growy flowers bloom, and human beings make a permanent residence ; nay, even the untutored savages who reside there tell us that other human beings reside yet further to the north; and animals are known to migrate in that direc- tion. Reasoning then from analogy, and from what we know, we have no ground to con- clude that such a vast extent of surface has been created by an all-wise Providence for no other purpose, than to be eternally clothed with mountains of ice. Such a conclusion comports not with the general economy we do know to exist throughout Jiis works.

OP CONCENtRiC SPHERES. it

We are constrained to acknowledge, not- withstanding our improvements in science, that, comparatively, we know but little of the economy of nature. Within a few years past, almost an entire revolution has taken place in the world respecting the philosophy of light and heat — a change which affects the theory both of their nature, and of their causes: — They are now believed to be two distinct things, and that the sun communicates nei- ther, but merely gives activity, in some man- ner not yet known, to the principles, or matter, of light and heat with which our elements abound. If this be the case, as I believe is now admitted by the learned world, we can- not undertake to say, that the intensity or the absence of either, is necessarily dependant alone on the altitude of the sun, under any particular latitude ; or on our nearness to, or remoteness from, the centre of the system: — For aught we know, both may be connected with arrangements that require but few of the sun's rays to make them answer the pur- poses of organic life. For aught we can tell, the planet Georgium Sidus, which rolls eigh- teen hundred millions of miles distant from the orb of day, may, nevertheless, be favoured with as brilliant light, and as genial warmth b2

18 THE THEORY

as our little globe; and for aught we know the interior of this planet, in the concavity of the spheres, under the equator, may enjoy the same light and heat that fructify and bless the equatorial climes on the convex surface. During a period of several thousand years the ancients were of opinion that the earth was a perfect plane, at rest, and supported below by an unknown something; that it was bounded on all sides by an impassable bar- rier, and covered with the blue canopy of heaven, in which the sun, moon, and stars performed their diurnal revolutions for the sole use and service of a few frail mortals. They believed that the sun, every morn- ing rose out of the Eastern sea ; and in the eve- ning plunged into the Western ocean; that the stars were lighted up in the evening by some kind deity, and extinguished before the appearance of the sun. For ages none douM- ed the correctness of such a theory. At length, however, from an attentive examina- tion of the regular appearances and revolu- tions of the heavenly bodies, some of the Babylonians adopted the opinion that the earth was spherical; revolving at regular periods round the sun, as the centre of the universe. In this they were followed by

OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES. 19

Pythagoras and others. But those efforts of genius, for the most part, met no other reward than the execrations of the exasperated mul- titude. Such innovations were deemed an impious crime against the gods, and could only be atoned for by the sacrifice of their lives. In those times the people of every nation, like the untutored Indian of our North Western wilderness at this day, considered their own country to be situated in the centre of the world, and they, the most favoured people. Even in later times, when the sys- tem of the Babylonians, and that of Pythago- ras, were revived by Copernicus ; and, when new discoveries respecting the form and revolutions of the earth, and other parts of the universe, were made by Galileo, not more than two hundred years since, we find an ignorant and bigoted world alarmed at such opinions. We find Galileo, that incompara- ble philosopher, cited before the court of Inquisition, accused of heresy, and thrown into prison. The charge of heresy against him was supported by alleging that he main- tained the two following positions, viz.

1. " That the sun is the centre of the world, and immoveable by a local motion ;" and

20 THE THEORY

2. " That the earth is not the centre of the world, nor immoveable, but that it moves with a diurnal motion."

These positions he was not permitted to maintain or defend, but was ordered to re- nounce them; and was prohibited from vindi- cating them either in conversation or writing. However strange and impious these doctrines appeared at that time, subsequent ages have confirmed their correctness.

When Columbus advanced the theory of a western continent, he was ridiculed, persecu- ted, and contemned, by nearly all the literati of Europe. It was an idea which had never before entered their minds. But, notwith- standing all their opposition and ridicule, the correctness of his " visionary theory," as they were pleased to call it, was demonstrated by the actual discovery of this vast continent, which is now sustaining millions of the very happiest of the human race.

Many of the important discoveries of the immortal Newton, at the time they were first promulgated to the world, were denounced as the splendid visions of a madman ; but, subse- quent ages have done him justice.

Much as we may feel ourselves elated on account of the new lights which have since

OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES. 21

been shed upon us, by the further progress and developement of science; yet, when I reflect on the unkind treatment which Cap- tain Symmes and his new theory have re- ceived in our own day, I cannot help fearing that we are still, in some degree, under the influence of the same feeling^and prejudices which brought the earlier philosophers to the torture, and the prison. This theory differs much less from the one now commonly re- ceived, than the doctrines of those philoso- phers differed from the prejudices of the mul- titude, in an age when every one believed the earth to be as flat as a table ; and, conse- quently, it is but a small innovation in com- parison to what the theory of Pythagoras and Copernicus must have appeared to be in their day ; yet Captain Symmes has been constant- ly, and almost every where, represented as a visionary and dangerous innovator, and his alleged discovery ridiculed as the silly dream of a deranged imagination.

But let us not turn our backs and give a deaf ear to him, or to the discoveries of any other man, merely because they are new? and in contravention of our previously re- ceived impressions. True it is^ novelty is frequently dangerous and hurtful: but on the

22 THE THEORY

Other hand, it is often necessary and useful. Without it we should still remain destitute of many of the greatest advantages we enjoy. Without the advancement of new principles, and speculative ideas, neither ourselves, nor any other people, could ever have emerged from a state of savage barbarity. Without it, what purpose could our reason serve, which, under proper regulations, and by a gradual progress, is capable of contributing so largely to the general good of society?

Were it my opinion that Symmes's Theory is one of the wildest and most ridiculous that ever entered into the brain of man, 1 would not refuse to hear him ; nor by malevolent or satirical disapprobation, attempt to discour- age him, before I had examined aud reflected upon itc By the examination of many specu- lative subjects, abounding with falsehood, we are frequently enabled to treasure up some truths. Some of the first and most important discoveries in chemistry, owe their origin to the midnight vigils of the alchymists, who vainly sought for the philosopher's stone: and many valuable combinations in the science of mechanics have been discovered by those who wasted years in as vain a pursuit, after a perpetual motion.

OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES. 23

I believe there are but few theories, which do not contain much that is profitable. The man who has the ingenuity to advance new ones, will be likely, in the course of reason- ing necessary to support them, to say some- thing that is useful to be known. In his very reveries and wanderings, he will often point out land-marks, which may be useful to the future traveller. Whether then is it belter to crouch under the tyranny of preju- dice, or employ our thoughts and reasoning powers in the search of truth, though at the risk of deceiving ourselves, as our predeces- sors have done? Had it not been for a pru- dent boldness in advancing and defending new doctrines, the human mind must have remained to this day, the sport of all the chimeras of the ancients.

The exact shape and formation of the earth are admitted not to be well understood. The laws of gravity, and the admeasure- ments which have been made in different places on the same meridian, have demon- strated to us, that the greatest mathemati- cians have mistaken its real figurCp Various theories have at different times been pub- lished and refuted, and others substituted in their stead. Yet still a shade of darkness

24 THE THEORY

and mystery appears to hang over the sub- ject; for many principles, attractions, and apparent variations from the established laws believed to exist in the economy of nature, have been discovered, particularly in the polar regions, which remain unexplained and unaccounted for. Let us, therefore, examine and investigate any theory which proposes to explain them. Let us not be so tenacious of our own opinions, and hereditary prejudi- ces, as to stop at the very point where every thing invites us to proceed. Let us rather push our researches after knowledge to the utmost, and exercise our reason, and every means in our ptower that may tend to the advancement of science and knowledge. In the pursuit, let us not be retarded by the cry of prejudice, or the sarcastic whispers of the narrow minded, and selfish.

Let us, therefore give Captain Syrames a "gentle meeting," and a candid hearing, in the following short chapters; ascertain what his theory is, and on what principles he sup- ports it ; and then adopt or reject it, as our reason may dictate.

OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES. 25.

CHAPTER II,

Symmes''s Theory; comprehending his description of the form of the earth, and of the other orbs in the Universe; his principles of gravity, and the points ischerein he differs from the old or generally received theories,

ACCORDING to Symmes's Theory, the earth, as well as all the celestial orbicular bodies existing in the universe, visible and invisible, which partake in any degree of a planetary nature, from the greatest to the smallest, from the sun, down to the most mi- nute blazing meteor or falling star, are all constituted in a greater or less degree, of a collection of spheres, more or less solid, con- centric with each other, and more or less open at their poles; each sphere being separated from its adjoining compeers by space replete with aerial fluids; that every portion of infinite space, except what is occupied by spheres, is filled with an aerial elastic fluid, more subtile than common atmospheric air; and constituted of innumerable small concen- tric spheres, too minute to be visible to the organ of sight assisted by the most perfect microscope, and so elastic that they continu- ally press on each other, and change their C

26 THE THEORY

relative situations as often as the position of any piece of matter in space may change its position: thus causing a universal pressure, which is weakened by the intervention of oth- er bodies in proportion to the subtended an- gle of distance and dimension; necessarily causing the body to move towards the points of decreased pressure.

It is a sound principle of philosophy, that the particles of the common air of our atmos- phere are of a repellant quality, and mutual- ly repulse each other. The whole system of pneumatics goes to prove that air presses equally in all directions. Not a single ex- periment in this branch of natural science can be performed that does not depend on such a property. This being the case, if the boundless extent of the universe, beyond the limits of our atmosphere, be an entire vacu- um, why should the atmosphere be retained in its present circumscribed form, and not ex- pand, by virtue of its repellant quality, far beyond its known height? To prevent this, , Symmes believes universal space to be filled #with an elastic fluid, inconceivably rare, and uniformly distributed throughout; differing from common air, and from the elastic fluids (which also are known to be repellant) ex-

OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES; 2t

isting in our atmosphere. This tendency is what Symmes believes should be understood by the term gravity; the laws of action gov- erning which he holds to be true, as defined by Newton: and he moreover holds that the application of the laws of gravity, as laid down by Newton, leads a reasoning mind to the belief of concentric spheres, with open poles, as all planetary bodies are in his opin- ion formed.

In regard to the effects of gravity, he pre- tends not to differ from the generally received opinion of the age ; but the application of them, as to the inner parts of insulated bodies, has enabled him to improve in a knowledge of the formation of planets; and finally led him to form a correct idea of what constitutes gravity.

The author of the new theory entertains a belief that the principles of planetary orbicu- lar forms, developed by him, extend as well to the molecules of the most subtile fluids, as to the innumerable stars or suns of the uni- verse, and all their planetary trains: he con- tends that though he may not have discover- ed any new principles in physics, yet that he has made interesting advances in a knowl- edge of the application of what was hereto- fore known.

2B THE THEORY

According to him, the planet which has been designated the Earth, is composed of at least five hollow concentric spheres, with spaces between each, an atmosphere sur- rounding each ; and habitable as well upon the concave as the convex surface. Each of these spheres are widely open at their poles. The north polar opening of the sphere we in- habit, is believed to be about four thousand miles in diameter, and the southern above six thousand.* The planes of these polar openings are inclined to the plane of the eclip- tic at an angle of about twenty degrees; so that the real axis of the earth, being perpen- dicular to the plane of the equator, will form an angle of twelve degrees with a line passing through the sphere at right angles with the plane of the polar openings; consequently the verg-e of the polar openings must approach several degrees nearer to the equator on one side than on the other. The highest north point, or where the distance is greatest from the equator to the verge of the opening in the northern hemisphere, will be found either in the northern sea, near the coast of Lapland, on a meridian passing through Spitsbergen, in about latitude sixty-eight degrees, or some- what more eastwardly in Lapland; and the

* National Intelligencer pf June 10th, 1824.

OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES. 29

verge would become apparent, to the naviga- tor proceeding north, in about latitude ninety- degrees.

The lowermost point, or the place where the distance is least from the equator to the verge of the northern polar opening, will be found in the Pacific ocean, about latitude fifty degrees, near the north-west coast of America, on or near a meridian running through the mouth of Cook's river, being in about one hundred and sixty degrees west longitude, the real verge being in about latitude fifty degrees and becoming apparent to a person travelling northward at right angles with the magnetic equator, at the distance of about twelve hundred miles further. The verge varies progressively from the lowest to the highest point, crossing the north-west coast of America between latitude fifty-two and fif- ty-four, thence across the continent of North America, passing through Hudson's Bay and Greenland, near cape Farewell; thence by mount Hecla to the highest point; thence tending gradually more to the south, across the northern parts of Asia, at or near the vol- canoes of Kamtschatka, and along the extin- guished volcanoes of the 'Fox Islands, to the lowermost point again, near the northwest coast

C2

30 THE THEORY

In the southern hemisphere, the highest point, or place where the distance is greatest j from the equator to the verge of the polar \ opening, will be found in the southern Pacific ^ ocean, in about latitude forty-six degrees south, and perhaps about longitude one hun- . dred and thirty degrees west; and the lower- most point, or place where the distance is least from the equator to the verge of the opening, will be found on a meridian south or south-east of the island of Madagascar, in about latitude thirty-four degrees south, and longitude about fifty degrees east; thence passing near the cape of Good Hope, across the Atlantic ocean, and southern part of the t continent of America, through a chain of ac- tive volcanoes, to the highest point; thence j bearing regularly toward the lowest point, passing between the two islands of New- Zaalaji'd, or across the most southerly one, and the northernmost part of Van Dieman's land, to the lowest point, which is south or south-east of Madagascar; the apparent verge being several hundred miles beyond the real verge.* Consequently, according to

* A tolerably correct representation of the sphere might be made by taking a hollow terrestrial globe, such as are used in «olleges5 and insert a saw at north latitude sixty-

OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES. 31

this formation of the sphere, the degrees of latitude, on different meridians, will vary- according to their distance from the polar openings; and the magnetical equator, which encircles the sphere, parallel to the plane of the polar openings, would cut the real etjua- tor at an angle of twelve degrees. A person standing on the highest part of the apparent verge would appear to be under the polar star, or nearly so, and at the ninetieth degree of latitude. The meridians all converge to the highest point of the verge, or the ninetieth degree; consequently, in tracing a meridian of longitude, you would pursue a direction at right angles to the equator, until you arrived in the neighbourhood of the real

eight degrees in Lapland, sawing obliquely through, so aa to come out at latitude fifty degrees in the Pacific ocean. The aperture thus produced, will show the gene- ral dimensions and slope of the north polar opening. And in the southern hemisphere, commencing with the saw at south latitude thirty four degrees, in longitude between fifty and fifty-five degrees east, in the Indian ocean, and sawing obliquely through, in the same manner, so as to come out at south latitude forty-six degrees, and longitude one hundred and thirty degrees west, in the South Pacific ocean, you will represent the appearance of the south polar opening; and the whole will exhibit a general re- presentation of the sphere, according to the new theory.

32 THE THEORY

verge of the polar opening, when the meri- dians would change their direction and turn along between the real and apparent verges towards the highest point, until they all ter- minated at the ninetieth degree of latitude ; this being the direction a person would travel in order to have his back to the sun always at 12 o'clock, the time of his greatest alti- tude. Although the particular location of the places where the verges of the polar openings are believed to exist, may not have been ascertained with absolute certainty, yet they are believed to be nearly correct; their localities having been ascertained from ap- pearances that exist in those regions; such as a belt or zone surrounding the globe where trees and other vegetation (except moss) do not grow; the tides of the ocean flowing in different directions, and appearing to meet; the existence of volcanoes; the ^^ ground swells''^ in the sea being more fre- quent; the Aurora Borealis appearing to the southward ; and various other phenomena existing in and about the same regions, mark the relative position of the real verges.

The heat and cold of the different climates are governed by their distance from the verge of the polar opening, and do not depend on

OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES. ^S

their nearness to or remoteness from the equator. The natural climates are parallel to the planes of the polar openings, and cut the parallels of latitude at an angle of twelve degrees. When the sun is on the tropic of Capricorn, the circle of greatest cold would be about twenty-three and a half degrees south of the apparent verge, and when the sun is on the tropic of Cancer this circle would probably be just under the umbrage of the real verge: hence it follows, if this doc- trine be correct, that the climate of forty degrees north latitude on the plains of Mis- souri, in the western part of the continent of America, will be as cold in winter, as the latitude of fifty or fifty-two degrees in Europe ; and observation has fully confirmed such to be the fact.

The magnetic principle which gives po- larity to the needle, is believed to be regula- ted by the polar openings, and that the needle always points directly to the opening, and of course parallel to a line drawn perpendicular to the plane of the opening. And when the apparent verge shall be passed, the needle will seem to turn nearly round, so as to point in an opposite direction; having the con- trary end north on the interior of the sphere^j

34 THE THEORY

that was north on the exterior, the same end being north on the interior which was south on the exterior. Hence, when navigators arrive in the neighbourhood of the apparent verge, the variation of the needle becomes extreme; and when the verge is passed, the variation is more or less reversed. The me- ridians run from the highest northern to the highest southern point on the verges; hence, in tracing a meridian, or sailing due norths we would pursue that line which would con- duct us directly from the sun at his greatest altitude; and when we come to the verge, the meridian would vary, and wind along the vicinity of the edge of the real verge, until it brought us to the highest point of the appa- rent verge. The magnetic needle, on arriving at the verge would appear to cease to pursue the same direction, but would in reality con- tinue to maintain it, and lead directly into the polar opening.

According to this formation of the sphere, a traveller or navigator might proceed true north any where west of the highest point of the verge, say on the continent of America^ until he