Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 127, 1 June 1868, Page 2

Viscount Kirkwall, in his Four Years j in the lonian Islands, gives the following i new theory on earthquakes: — The ancients believed that the sea causes the earthquakes. Experience without science may, perhaps, give hints to science without experience. Living for months iv no slight fear of these always alarming, and at that time constant visitors, it was impossible not to ; form some opinion on the matter. I believe, then, by the action of the winds, the ocean is forced occasionally into contact with the realms of fire that occupy the centre of the earth, and that the waves, repelled by the flames, generate enormous volumes of steam, w&ich rush furiously along the hollows, conveying with -them the lava of those dark regions. This mass of steam-propelled lava seeks everywhere to escape and makes for the vqlcanoes, and on its passage breaks through or violently shakes the crust of the earth where it is weakest. la proportion, then, to their nearness to great volcanoes, or to main channels leading thereto, countries are more or less affected by earthquakes. In a calm, I imagine that the sea may then be retreating from the fires^.vvhichit may have before approached. Steam may then still be generated, but cot with the. same violence as iv the inimitable man uer described by Homer. Thorns are to the rose protective ; corns but render toes defective. Thorus defend by outward sticking j corus offend by inward pricking. Thorns make beauty so disd^in^ful;;. corns make toes so very painful. For thorns and corns I see no use j I wish ihm. both were at the deuce. ;v. . ■„ . ; .' r -'-•„ S".s .. • •