Kentuck
THE
SYMMES THEORY
or
Concentric Spheres,
DEMONSTRATING THAT
THE EARTH IS HOLLOW, HABITABLE WITHIN, AND WIDELY
OPEN ABOUT THE POLES.
COMPILED BY
AMERICUS SYMMES,
FROM THE WITINGS OF HIS FATHER, Capt. John Cleves Symmes,
Newpor
LOUISVILLE, KY..
PRINTED BY BRADLEY & GILBERT.
1878

CAPT. JOHN CLEVES SYMMES.
!
THE
SYMMES THEORY
OF
CONCENTRIC SPHERES,
DEMONSTRATING THAT
THE EARTH IS HOLLOW, HABITABLE WITHIN,
AND WIDELY OPEN ABOUT THE POLES.
COMPILED BY
AMERICUS SYMMES,
FROM THE WRITINGS OF HIS FATHER, CAPT. JOHN CLEVES SYMMES.
LOUISVILLE, KY.:
PRINTED BY BRADLEY & GILBERT.
1878.
Race Bk. Rome
Regent hinted
quit
8"-15-1927
PREFACE.
६
John Cleves Symmes, the author of the "THEORY OF CON-
Centric Spheres," was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, on
the 5th of November, 1780. During his boyhood and early
life he received a good common English education, which, in
after life, he greatly improved through his great fondness for
reading and an insatiable desire for knowledge. He cultivated
particularly mathematics and the natural sciences, and at an
early age studied out the curious theory through which he
became so widely known.
At the age of twenty-two years he entered the army of the
United States as ensign; his commission bears date April 2,
1802. On May 1, 1804, he was promoted to the rank of
second lieutenant; on July 29, 1807, to that of first lieutenant;
and on the 20th of January, 1812, he received a commission as
captain. He continued to serve in that capacity during the
war, and until the disbanding of the army in 1816.
Soon after he entered the army he was ordered to the South-
west, and was stationed successively at Fort Coupee, Louisiana;
Fort Adams, fifty miles below Natchez, on the Mississippi, and
at New Orleans.
While at Fort Adams he fought a duel with one of his com-
rade officers, an account of which we may as well record in his
own words, as given in a letter to his brother Celadon, dated
Fort Adams, June 28, 1807:
"I sit down to emit from the point of my pen such ideas as may chance to rise
in my mind while I imagine myself narrating to you the pleasures and pains I
have experienced since I last wrote; the proportion of the latter has far exceeded
that of the former, although the six months I spent at Fort Coupee glided away
like a pleasing dream, where happiness appeared within my reach, and just as I
was possessing it, I was aroused and hurried away to Orleans, where a viper-like
enemy had been before me and made several others, who were actuated by hope
of promotion and love of mischief.
"This subtle, designing enemy was my late surgeon mate, Dr. John Fowles,
who insinuated that I had acted dishonorably in giving him a furlough with pros-
}
!
iv
PREFACE.
pect of pay, and that I had insisted on his giving me his pay while absent, on
account of having to take care of the sick for him; on hearing which, I immedi-
ately declared his allegation false, and that he should give me a certificate satis-
factory or meet me in the field of honor.
"After I had stated the truth that he had built his story out of, declaring I
had done nothing but what I was willing the world should know or that I could
blame myself for, and pointed out the precedent I was guided by, I obtained,
1
with ease, a furlough to go to Point Coupee to adjust some unsettled business I
pretended to have there. I went and humbled his (mean) soul, as much as mine
(but too generous then), and dictated a certificate which he copied and signed.
I then returned in triumph to Orleans, where those juniors, disappointed in the
hope they at first had entertained of obtaining promotion by my resigning in a
fright, or getting killed by the doctor, continued their nefarious cabals under the
rose. But I smelt a rat, felt provoked, and strutted with more confidence than
was usual to me at other times. On one of these lowering days I began a letter
which I never finished. I here give you a paragraph of it: 'I lately read a French
proverb indicating that a man without enemies was no great thing. I then wished
for some. I now have my wish, and believe I shall profit thereby. They are a
necessary stimulus, calculated to promote energy and perseverance. If I do not
take pains to nourish them, I shall not to do them away; unless some one should
be so bold as to emerge from under the rose and refuse to apologize and return.'
“A week or two after my return from Point Coupee, I was told by an old ac-
quaintance, under cover of friendship, that my juniors in rank did not admit my
character to be fairly cleared up, and had persuaded several to think with them.
I made light of it to him, but advised with a field officer, who happened not to
be characterized by decision. His response was evasive. I therefore, of my own
accord, made an official application to the General for a court of inquiry, to ex-
amine whether or not my conduct had been correct.
"The General, being much hurried with business at that time, neglected to
order the court for several days, during which time I, in the course of duty, had
occasion to see the standing order relative to police, which I had not yet.seen. I
therefore went, as I ought, to Lieutenant Marshall, who was adjutant, and, in
his office, asked him to see the orderly book. Ile answered that it was more
proper that I should examine the books of the company to which I was attached,
and that I should not see them there. I then observed that I did not suppose but
that he was a man of his word, and reminded him that he had formerly given a
like answer and refusal on the same occasion, with a promise that, in case the ser-
geant had not recorded the orders (as I suggested), I might see them in his office;
upon which he blustered toward me, and demanded what I meant, while I re-
turned him that I meant as I said. He then declared that since he had promised
them I might see them, and handed me the book, observing at the same time that
I was not generally considered as a gentleman. At this time our passions were
both raised; I quelled mine and spoke deliberately to this effect, that I should not
consult his opinion relative to what other people thought of me, but wished
to know if he did not himself say I was not a gentleman; he answered yes,
and that he did not consider me one; I continued that I had long observed
the ill offices he was inclined to do me, and that he wanted promotion (yes,
said he, I do), and would be disappointed in the way he looked for it, but
PREFACE.
}
I con-
that I was still willing he should have a chance for it. Let us go out and take a
shot (by this time, beside two officers sitting in the room, five or six had col-
lected in front of the door which stood open). He declined, alleging that he did
not consider me on a gentlemanly footing with him, alluding to what Dr. Fowles
had said of me. I urged that until I was arrested, or officially charged with some
misdemeanor, that I stood on the same footing of every other officer, and that I
was not subject to be insulted with impunity. About this time he began to come
down and endeavor to make out that he had not disputed my gentility; but still
refused a second invitation I gave him, alleging the same reason, but said that he
would fight me after the court of inquiry (I expected) should acquit me.
sented to the proposition, provided it could not take place sooner, and then pro-
ceeded to read the orders I wanted to see, and he sat down to his breakfast.
That day I mounted guard, and the next, when relieved, took a sleep after dinner
and went early to parade (I then quartered in town) without consulting any
person. I had determined what to do, which was to fall in with Mr. Marshall
when he had his sword on and wring his nose. I did not get an opportunity until
after parade was dismissed, when walking to the barracks I overtook him and re-
quested to speak to him. He turned toward me, I accomplished my intention,
and bringing my hand on the hilt of my sword, and taking one step backward, I
involuntarily said: 'Draw, and defend yourself!' He did not draw, but stepped
toward me (to grapple, as I expected, for he is a large man). I then held my
sword horizontally before me, and told him not to advance but draw and defend
himself. He then, after an exclamation of surprise, made for his quarters, beck-
oning and calling me to follow, which I did to the front of his door, where I
passed fore and aft, then went to a group of officers near and related what I had
done, observing that I expected that he would not hesitate to take the field.
Presently he came toward us, calling on me. I advanced to him. He then said
that he would meet me, and proposed that our seconds should convene on the
gallery as soon as possible. I consented, and glided to my quarters (if possible)
like a man intoxicated with pleasurable passion. One of my messmates said I had
been drinking wine. Lieutenant Clymer, a messmate, who had at that moment
returned, after an absence of two weeks, immediately became my second; met
Mr. Marshall, and they agreed that we should meet on the commons at daylight
next morning. Mr. Clymer prepared me excellent pistols and a surgeon to attend.
We met at the appointed time, and, at the distance of ten paces, standing side-
ways, fired at the word. The one appointed to give it first asked, are you ready?
we, at the same instant, answered yes. He then said, fire? and we raised our arms.
together deliberately, from a hanging position. My intention was to aim at his
hip; his (I learn) at my breast, consequently I got the first fire, which drew his
shot somewhat at random, though it must have passed within a line of the lower
part of my belly, as it pierced through my pantaloons, shirt tail, and the bone of
my careless hanging wrist, close to the joint. He received my ball in his thigh,
but where it glanced to the doctors can not find. It is said he is now walking
about. I wanted to know if he desired another shot, and being informed in the
negative, left my second and surgeon attending to him, and, with my handker-
chief wrapped around my wound, went home and ate a hearty breakfast, not ex-
pecting to be confined or much afflicted with what appeared to the doctor, as well
1
vi
PREFACE.
as myself, little more than a scratch. But many a long day and night I suffered
for the error of not losing blood and dieting as I ought to have done; 'twas near
two months before it healed, and two weeks of that time it was dangerously in-
flamed, and disjointed of itself, which is the cause of its looking or being some-
what awry and not working freely in the joint like the other. The pain produced
fever, and that debility, which exposed me to a multitude of infirmities. The most
obstinate and afflicting was a dysentery, which began with a dropsy and continued
with violence for six or seven weeks. I have now got shut of it, but but my feet
and legs continue to bloat to a troublesome degree. The court of inquiry I
applied for was ordered agreeable to my request, and as soon as my wound began
to mend I wrote an official notice to the recorder that I was ready to come before
the court, if they would appoint a place to sit and give me notice; and I repeat-
edly stated verbally the same to Captain Lockwood who was president thereof,
who alleged that he was under marching orders, and it was intimated to me by
numbers that the proceedings would be a needless piece of precaution in me, as
every one was convinced of my integrity and gentility. I therefore made no fur-
ther application to be heard, especially as the members of the court were imme-
diately scattered to different posts."
*
Captain Symmes never fully recovered the use of his wrist-
it was always stiff and a little awry. The wound which Lieuten-
ant Marshall received disabled him, so that he carried the effects.
of it through life. He was afterward befriended by Captain
Symmes, who always spoke of this duel with regret.
At the time of the commencement of the war with Great
Britain, in 1812, the first regiment of United States Infantry,
of which he was senior captain, was stationed at the mouth of
the Missouri River, in the Territory of Missouri. Here they
remained until 1814, when they were ordered to join the army
of General Brown on the Northern frontier. After a long and
fatiguing journey by land and water, they reached Canada on
the 25th day of July-the very day on which the battle of
Bridgewater or Lundy's Lane was fought.
The battle commenced near sunset. The first regiment,
which was
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Robert C.
Nicholas, had not joined the army at the time of the opening
of the battle, but were about two miles in the rear. When
the firing commenced, without waiting for or receiving orders.
from General Brown, the regiment was put in motion by Col-
onel Nicholas, and marched with all possible expedition to the
scene of the conflict. When they arrived at the American
camp they found General Ripley, to whom they had been
PREFACE.
vii
}
ordered to report, had advanced with his brigade, and without
halting they continued to press forward.
It was twilight when they reached the field; they formed
themselves within a short distance of the enemy's batteries,
without meeting with any general officer or aid-de-camp to in-
struct them how they should join in the conflict. Ignorant of
the situation of either army, except from the observations made
in coming up, and unapprized of the position of General Ripley's
brigade, Colonel Nicholas, when he found himself so near a
British battery, which had opened fire upon his regiment,
ordered the men to retire a short distance. While the atten-
tion of the battery was thus directed to the first regiment, Col-
onel James Miller, leading his battalion, partly under the cover
of the fence of a church yard, moved swiftly up the hill and
attacked the artillerists almost before they were aware of their
presence, and, after a short but desperate hand-to-hand fight,
in which he lost a number of his gallant men, he captured the
whole park, consisting of seven brass cannon, ammunition
wagons, etc.
After the capture of this position, Colonel Nicholas was en-
abled to report to General Ripley, and was ordered to assume
a position on the left of Colonel Miller's regiment. This order
was promptly obeyed, and the position held till the close of the
action.
General Brown, in his official report, makes honorable men-
tion of the bravery of Captain Symmes in this battle.
On a partial recovery from his wounds, General Brown took
command at Fort Erie, which was closely invested by the British,
who were actively employed in surrounding it with batteries.
On the 17th of September he resolved to make a sortie, which
was accomplished with spirit and success; the British were
completely surprised, and, after a severe conflict of two hours,
the three batteries, the whole line of intrenchments, and their
block-houses were in the possession of the Americans. In this
action Caytain Symmes and his command captured one of the
batteries; he led his men over the intrenchments and spiked the
first canon with his own hand.
1
1
i
viii
PREFACE.
In 1816 Captain Symmes retired from the army and took up
his residence at St. Louis, where he engaged in furnishing sup-
plies for the troops stationed on the upper Mississippi, and in
trading with the Fox Indians, for which he had a special license
from Governor Clark, of Missouri Territory.
and one son.
On Christmas day, 1808, Mr. Symmes married Mrs. Mary
Anne Lockwood, widow of Captain Benjamin Lockwood,* at
Fort Adams. She had at that time a family of five daughters
They were brought up and educated by Captain
Symmes as his own family; they were sincerely attached to
him, and grew up to maturity with his own children in perfect
harmony. They were all married from his house but two, who
remained single. Captain Lockwood, at the time of his death,
owned a section of land in Brown County, Ohio, on which Cap-
tain Symmes regularly paid the taxes even to the neglect of his
own; one of his own tracts, four thousand acres, in Licking
County, which would have been a fortune to his children, was
forfeited by this neglect. When these children arrived at ma-
turity, he turned over this land, free and unincumbered, neither
charging them for the money expended on it nor the care he
had taken of it.
Captain Symmes' trading experience did not result in a pecu-
'niary benefit to him, so in 1819 he removed from St. Louis and
settled at Newport, Kentucky, where he resided till 1824, when
he removed to his farm, a section of land presented to him by
his uncle and namesake, which had been previously improved,
near Hamilton, Ohio.
While at St. Louis Captain Symmes paid more attention to
his eccentric Theory of Concentric Spheres, Polar Voids, and Open
Poles; and, in order to make his discoveries and purposes
known, he issued the following circular, which, like a lady's
letter, is most important for its postscript:
*Captain Lockwood, a Virginian by birth, entered the army in 1792 as a lieu-
tenant, and served in Captain Alexander Gibson's company during General Wayne's
campaign against the Indians. He was promoted to a captaincy in 1798, and died
at Fort Adams early in 1808.
جام مراک
PREFACE.
ix
To all the World:
CIRCULAR.
Light gives light to light discover-ad infinitum.
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI TERRITORY, NORTH AMERICA,
April 10, A. D. 1818.
}
I declare the earth is hollow and habitable within; containing a number of
solid concentric spheres, one within the other, and that it is open at the poles
twelve or sixteen degrees. I pledge my life in support of this truth, and am ready
to explore the hollow, if the world will support and aid me in the undertaking.
JNO. CLEVES SYMMES,
Of Ohio, late Captain of Infantry.
N. B.-I have ready for the press a treatise on the principles of matter, wherein
I show proofs of the above positions, account for various phenomena, and disclose
Dr. Darwin's "Golden Secret."
My terms are the patronage of THIS and the NEW WORlds.
I dedicate to my wife and her ten children.
I select Dr. S. L. Mitchell, Sir H. Davy, and Baron Alexander Von Humboldt
as my protectors.
I ask one hundred, brave companions, well equipped, to start from Siberia, in
the fall season, with reindeer and sleighs, on the ice of the frozen sea; I engage
we find a warm and rich land, stocked with thrifty vegetables and animals, if not
men, on reaching one degree northward of latitude 82; we will return in the suc-
ceeding spring.
J. C. S.
Captain Symmes addressed a copy of this circular to every
learned institution and to every considerable town and village,
as well as to numerous distinguished individuals, throughout
the United States, and sent copies to several of the learned
societies of Europe.
Its reception by the public can easily be imagined; it was
overwhelmed with ridicule as the production of a distempered
imagination, or the result of partial insanity. It was for many
years a fruitful source of jest with the newspapers.
The Academy of Science of Paris, before which the circular
was laid by Count Volney, decided that it was not worthy of
consideration. The scientific papers of Europe generally treated
it as a hoax, rather than believe that any sane man could issue
such a circular or uphold such a theory.
Circulars and newspaper articles soon followed this one, and
were kept up for years, despite of the ridicule which was poured
on the unfortunate author from all sides. In 1820 Captain
Symmes commenced lecturing on his theory; first at Cincin-
X
PREFACE.
nati, then at other large towns in the West. The novelty of
the subject attracted large audiences, but he failed to make con-
verts who possessed wealth or influence enough to secure the
means to test, by exploration, the truth of his theory.
In May, 1824, he explained his theory at Hamilton to a large
audience, with such convincing effect that after the lecture they
"Resolved, That we esteem Symmes' Theory of the Earth de-
serving of serious examination and worthy of the attention of
the American people."
So much did the Theory attract popular attention in the
West, that the "Polar Expedition" was thought a fit object for
a benefit at the Cincinnati Theater, which was given on March ·
29, 1824. Mr. Collins then recited an address, written for the
occasion by Moses Brooks, in which, after recounting the great
discoveries to be made, he wound up with—
"Has not Columbia one aspiring son,
By whom th' unfading laurel may be won?
Yes! history's pen may yet inscribe the name
Of SYMMES to grace her future scroll of fame."
In 1822 he petitioned the Congress of the United States,
setting forth his belief of the existence of a habitable and ac-
cessible concave to this globe; his desire to embark on a voy-
age of discovery to one or other of the polar regions; his belief
in the great profit and honor his country would derive from such
discovery; and praying that Congress would equip and fit out
for the expedition two vessels of two hundred and fifty or three
hundred tons burden; and grant such other aid as Government
might deem necessary to promote the object. This petition was
presented in the Senate by Colonel Richard M. Johnson, a
member from Kentucky, on the 7th day of March, 1822, when,
after a few remarks, it was laid on the table.
In December, 1823, he forwarded a similar petition to both
houses of Congress, which met a similar fate.
In January, 1824, he petitioned the General Assembly of the
State of Ohio, praying that body to pass a resolution approba-
tory of his theory; and to recommend him to Congress for an
outfit suitable to the enterprise. This memorial was presented
by Micajah T. Williams, and, on motion, the further considera-
tion thereof was indefinitely postponed.
PREFACE.
xi
In 1825 he applied through the American Minister, at the
Court of St. Petersburg, for permission to accompany the Polar
Expedition then fitting out by the Russian Government, which
was readily granted by the Chancellor, Count Romanzoff, but
the want of means to procure a proper outfit hindered him from
accepting the offer.
Among his converts was a young lawyer, Mr. J. N. Reynolds,
a graduate of Ohio University. With him Captain Symmes
entered into an agreement for a lecturing tour through the
Eastern States. They set out in September, 1825, accom-
panied by Anthony W. Lockwood, a step-son of Captain
Symmes, and lectured in various towns in Ohio. In about a
month Captain Symmes was forced to return home in conse-
quence of ill health. In January, 1826, he rejoined them at
Pittsburgh, and they proceeded eastward. Some difficulty soon
occurred, however; Reynolds became dissatisfied and left them.
Symmes, undaunted by this desertion, or the constant ridicule
with which he was met, continued his tour to Philadelphia, New
York, Boston, as far as Maine, and even into Canada, lecturing
at the various towns through which he passed.
His health was by this time greatly impaired by his constant
labors and excitement, and he was reluctantly obliged to give
up lecturing. He retired for a time to his native place in New
Jersey, where he remained the guest of an old friend of his
father until his health was sufficiently restored to enable him to
travel homeward. When he reached Cincinnati, in February,
1829, he was so feeble that he had to be conveyed on a bed,
placed in a spring wagon, to his home near Hamilton. He
continued gradually to sink, until released by death on the 29th
of May, 1829.
His remains were committed to the grave the next day, in
the old burying ground at Hamilton, with military honors.
They are now covered with a monument, erected by his son,
Americus Symmes, a solid structure of freestone, surmounted
with a hollow globe, open at the poles, bearing the following
inscriptions:
On the west side-"Captain John C. Symmes, a native of
xii
PREFACE.
New Jersey, died in May, 1829, aged forty nine years and six
months."
On the north side-"Captain John Cleves Symmes was a
philosopher and the originator of Symmes' Theory of Concentric
Spheres and Polar Voids.' He contended that the earth is hollow
and habitable within."
On the south side-"Captain John Cleves Symmes entered
the army of the United States as an ensign in the year 1802.
He afterwards rose to the rank of captain, and performed dar-
ing feats of bravery in the battles of Lundy's Lane and sortie
from Fort Erie."
Captain Symmes was a man of great simplicity and earnest-
ness of character, a high-minded, honorable, honest, and ex-
emplary man in every walk of life, and was beloved, trusted,
and respected by all who knew him.
So fixed in his mind was the belief of the truth of his theory,
that for ten years, although laboring under great pecuniary em-
barrassments, and buffeted by the ridicule and sarcasm of an
opposing world, he persevered in his endeavors to interest
others in it, so as to enable him to test its truth by a polar ex-
pedition, but without success.
It should now be remembered to his credit, that many of
the facts and fancies (as they then appeared) which he brought
forward in proof of his theory of open polar voids have since
been fully corroborated by the observations of Drs. Kane and
Hayes and Captain Hall, but applied by them to the more
plausible theory of open polar seas.
THE
THEORY OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
According to this theory the earth is globular, hollow, and
open at the poles. The diameter of the northern opening is
about two thousand miles, or four thousand miles from outside
to outside. The south opening is somewhat larger. The planes
of these openings are parallel to each other, but form an angle
of 12° with the equator, so that the highest part of the north
plane is directly opposite the lowest part of the south plane.
The shell of the earth is about one thousand miles thick, and
the edges of this shell at the openings are called verges, and
measure, from the regular concavity within to the regular con-
vexity without, about fifteen hundred miles. The verges oc-
cupy about 25°, and if delineated on a map would show only
the outer half of the verge, while all above or farther from the
equator, both north and south, would lie on the apex and
within the verge. All the polar regions upon the present map
would be out of sight. The meridian lines extend at right
angles from the equator to the outer edges of the verges, and
then wind round along the surface of the verges, terminating at
the points directly under the highest parts of the verges both
north and south.
The line which marks the location of the apex of the northern
verge begins at a point in Lapland about 68° N. and 20° E. from
London on a meridian traversing Spitzbergen, whence it passes
southwest across the Atlantic Ocean and the southern part of
Greenland, through Hudson's Bay and over the continent to the
Pacific near Cook's Inlet, thence across the Fox Islands to a
point about 56° N. and 160° W., nearly south of Behring's
Straits. Then it passes over the Pacific, crossing the south
part of Kamtchatka, continuing northwest through Siberia,
entering Europe across the Ural Mountains, in latitude about
14
THE THEORY OF
58° N., and passing near the Arctic coast, over the mouth of
the White Sea, to the point of starting.
Captain Symmes collated with great labor many isolated facts
from his own researches, and from the accounts of Ross, Howe,
Parry, McKenzie, and others who had by sea and land explored
the polar regions, while similar proofs have been drawn from
later explorations since the promulgation of the theory in 1829.
The explorers who furnish facts for the support of this theory
seem, none of them, to have had the remotest conjecture of it.
The facts are admitted, and it can not be urged against its au-
thor that he has marshaled in its support fictitious premises.
His arguments, drawn from the facts, may be erroneous. Yet
it is true that many of them which have not as yet been other-
wise satisfactorily explained are easily accounted for upon his
theory.
There is a remarkable difference of climate under different
meridians upon the same parallel of latitude. It is known that
the climate of the eastern coast of North America is much colder
than that of Western Europe in the same latitude. The notion
that this diversity is produced by the proximity of the ocean or
of ranges of mountains is unsatisfactory; for countries, similar
in these respects, in the same latitude, have a great diversity of
climate. A theory which would explain the mild climate of
France and England from these causes would not suit the case
of New York and New England and the cold regions around the
Gulf of St. Lawrence south of 59° north latitude. The topog-
raphy of these sections of country is similar; and yet England
and France have a mild and genial climate, while New England
and Newfoundland are cold and bleak in the winter. Labrador,
not so far north as Great Britian, is as cold and bleak as coun-
tries in Europe 20° farther north.
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 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
1
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
15
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 doctrine be
correct, that the climate of forty degrees north latitude on the
plains of Missouri, 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 con-
firmed such to be the fact.
The Gulf Stream does not satisfactorily account for this diver-
sity of climate between America and Europe. Sweeping along
the coast of the United States northeastwardly from the Gulf
of Mexico, with its vast volume of water, why should it not
moderate the climate of North America as well as that of East-
ern Europe? After nearing the banks of Newfoundland, it de-
flects eastwardly across the Atlantic about two thousand miles,
and then sends off one branch northeastwardly along the coast
of Norway, and another down the western coast of Europe and
Africa, till it is lost in the Southern Atlantic. Why, then, does
not this mighty river of the ocean affect the climate of the
United States as much or even more than that of France and
England? It is claimed that this stream raises the climate of
Europe 12° or 15° higher than that of the United States, whereas
its effect should be greater upon the United States than upon
Europe.
The characteristics of the isothermal belts of both hemispheres.
throw some light upon this theory. The region of the verges
must be the coldest parts of the earth's surface, because, being
more convex, they diverge instead of converging the sun's rays.
The temperature, therefore, of any given part of the earth's
surface depends as well upon its proximity to the verge as to
the equator. Europe, under the northern verge in latitude 60°
N. would have the same climate with a place 70° west longitude,
some six degrees farther south; and at 160° west longitude the
climate would be some twelve degrees colder than that of En-
gland. This would be true as a general rule, subject, however,
to many local exceptions arising from the elevation and direc-
tion of mountain ranges, or the proximity of the ocean or large
bodies of water, or from other causes. Paris, 49° N., is about
16 A
THE THEORY OF
the same distance from the verge as Washington in latitude 30°
N., and their climate is nearly alike.
Thus, while this theory does not explain all the phenomena
of climatic differences as indicated by the isothermal belts, it
affords a general rule for explaining why the climate of Europe
is milder than that of North America. The isothermal line of
32° of Fahrenheit, which marks the southern limit of frozen
ground, as laid down on climatic charts, corresponds very
nearly with the location of the northern verge.
The theory of ocean currents will not explain these climatic
differences upon the earth's surface. If, for instance, the Gulf
Stream-having traversed the Atlantic, battling with the cold.
waters of Baffin's Bay and the icebergs which are drifted out
of the Arctic Ocean-so modifies the climate of Western Eu-
rope, why should not the Brazilian current, flowing southwardly
along the east coast of South America, produce the same effect
upon Patagonia? The antarctic currents, sweeping past Cape
Horn and uniting with this warm Brazilian current, flow east-
wardly across the South Atlantic Ocean, round the Cape of
Good Hope, into the Indian Ocean. While these antarctic cur-
rents might lower the temperature of the west coast of Pata-
gonia, it will not be pretended that they would in like manner
affect the east coast of this bleak region, or so counteract the
effect of the warm Brazilian current flowing down along the
eastern coast of South America as to produce the cold climate
of Eastern Patagonia.
It is now generally conceded that a vast open ocean exists in
the polar regions, and Professor Maury holds that this open sea
results from the flow of warm submarine currents from the
equatorial regions of the earth, north and south, causing the
counterflow, upon the surface, of mighty currents from the
arctic regions. Further discoveries may throw more light upon
this mysterious subject, and explain these ocean currents in
connection with the interior currents of the earth, across the
verges in both directions, and thus demonstrate the truth of
Captain Symmes' theory.
The highest altitude of the sun is not at noon in high latitude,
but at some time after, as Captain Parry informs us.
The mer-
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
17
idian lines on which the sun is at noon come up from the
equator at right angles until they reach the outer edge of the
verge, where they deflect to the right over and along the sur-
face of the verge to a point underneath the highest part of the
same. This deflection, as well as the angularity of the plane of
the verge with the equator, would cause the sun, in latitude on
and over the verge, to have the highest altitude after midday.
Beyond longitude 160° west from London, this deflection of the
meridian lines is to the left.
In the Pacific Ocean, in longitude and latitude answering to
the lowest part of the verge, or that part of it nearest the
equator, navigators have observed opposite the sun a luminous
belt or ring, of a crescent form, elevated some 15° above the
horizon, which is caused by the reflection of the sun's rays from
the opposite highest part of the verge. The refracted rays,
coming from the opposite side of the earth through the dense
atmosphere of the verge, would so strike the eye of the ob-
server as to cause this apparent elevation.
But navigators in longitude answering to the highest part of
the verge, instead of the bright appearance just noted, observe
opposite the sun a dark, opaque space low in the horizon, as
though there were no objects to reflect back the rays of the sun.
This singular appearance is produced by the fact that the incident
rays of light, as they are reflected from the lowest part of the
verge, are so refracted that they fall below the eye of the ob-
server, and thus cause this dark appearance, or blank space, in
the horizon.
Captain Ross states that in high latitudes there are remark-
able changes in the apparent extent of the sensible horizon..
From north to south the horizon is so limited that objects can
be seen only at very short distances, while in a direction east or
west the horizon is greatly extended, and objects can be seen
at an immense distance, as if upon a horizontal plane. The
direction north and south is directly over the convex surface of
the verge, where the horizon is extremely limited; while along
the surface of the verge east and west the view is along upon
the plane of the verge, and the horizon is greatly extended.
This is precisely what would result from the existence of such
2
1
!
18
THE THEORY OF
a verge. The slight depression of the surface of the earth
around the poles is wholly insufficient to produce this effect,
which accords so well with this theory.
Another beautiful phenomena, observed by Captain Parry,
is the elongated appearance of the sun and moon in high lati-
tude, with the prismatic colors observed on these occasions.
According to a simple law of optics, this is due to the dense
atmosphere of the verge acting like a prism, and causing this
elongated appearance; and the prismatic hues are due to the
different refrangibility of the sun's rays. These beautiful hues
may be heightened by particles of frost floating in the atmos-
phere.
Captain Parry and others speak of the brilliant twilight of the
North as being sufficient to enable them to read ordinary printed
matter distinctly. This curious fact is wholly inexplicable upon
the Newtonian theory, but is easy of explanation upon this.
This twilight, coming from the north, may be caused by the
'sun's rays thrown into the interior through the southern open-
ing, which, by two refractions, one at each opening, and two
or three reflections from the inner concave surface, would pass.
out at the north over the verge, and produce there this strong
twilight.
Captain Parry states that, when sailing northward in high lati-
tude, the North Star rises over the bow of the ship to the
zenith and then declines toward the stern. On the Newtonian
theory the ship must have sailed directly under the star, and
over and down upon the opposite side of the earth. But this
can not be true, for no navigator has sailed so far north.
From the regular convexity to the interior concavity of the
carth across the verge is fifteen hundred miles-a distance so
great that a vessel, in sailing over the verge, would not perceive
e change in her direction, except from the apparent change
of the heavenly bodies, or from observations of the difference
in the expanse of the visible horizon. The ship going north
along the deflected meridians upon and over the verge causes
these apparent changes in the North Star.
Further confirmation of the Symmes theory is drawn from the
variations and dip of the magnetic needle. "The line of no
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
19
variation" is a line coming up through the South Atlantic Ocean
over the eastern part of South America, and passing on north-
west over the equator to a point a little west of Cape Hat-
teras, North Carolina, then through Virginia to Lake Erie, east
of Cleveland, and on through Lake Huron, terminating at a
point in longitude about 90° west from London and in north
latitude about 70°.
How do these facts accord with this theory? It will be re-
membered that the planes of the verges form an angle each
with the equator, but are parallel to each other. Now, midway
between the verges lies the magnetic equator, cutting the
equator of the earth at an angle of twelve degrees, and "the
line of no variation" crosses this magnetic equator at nearly
right angles. The terminus of "the line of no variation" is
about midway between the highest and lowest parts of the
northern verge.
This line, continued to the southern verge,
would also terminate about midway between the highest and
lowest parts of the southern verge. These are curious facts and
are entitled to consideration. If they do not fully explain the
variation of the magnetic needle, they present some views
which may help to clear up these mysteries of nature.
The dip of the needle is another phenomenon not fully under-
stood. This dip is nearly uniform upon the same latitude, but
increases as the needle is carried north, and, in high latitude
answering to the location of the verge, the dip is greatly in-
creased and becomes nearly perpendicular.
The true magnetic poles are not at the points where the
"line of no variation" terminates-at the north and south-but
are equidistant from this line and immediately under the highest
points of the verges north and south, and "the line of no va-
riation" lies midway between these magnetic poles. The needle,
while it does not vary, along the line, to the right or left, yet,
as it goes northward or southward from the magnetic equator,
it is attracted towards the true magnetic poles lying under the
highest part of the verges; and so the dip is increased till it
reaches the apex of the verge, where it is the greatest.
Thus these general facts in regard to the movement of the
magnetic needle correspond with the Symmes theory of the
20
THE THEORY OF
earth. The barometer also illustrates the theory; for it is well
established that, along the region of the verge, the mercury
rises the highest, for here the atmosphere is most dense. It
would be difficult to show, upon any other hypothesis, why the
barometer should rise higher along the locality of the verge than
upon the upper side of it to north or south.
The aurora borealis affords a most interesting illustration. If,
as Franklin supposed, this is an electrical phenomenon, the
question arises, Why is it always exhibited in high latitude?
The electric fluid pervades all nature, and is excited by heat,
by cold, and by friction.
The sun, in his daily course, rarefies the air of the equatorial
regions. It therefore rises and falls down towards the poles,
causing currents from the equator towards the north and the
south, where it is condensed. This process of rarefaction and
condensation produces the aurora along the verges, where the
greatest condensation takes place. In proof of this view, Cap-
ṭain Parry and other explorers and navigators state that, when
in high latitudes upon and beyond the verge, the aurora is
almost always seen in a southerly or southwesterly direction.
Navigators in the South Atlantic, while sailing down the
coast of South America, observe, low in the horizon, to the
east and southeast, several bright, luminous bodies, like clouds.
in the sky, which become more and more elevated as the vessel
goes south, until, in the vicinity of the Straits of Magellan,
these clouds appear nearly in the zenith.
The cause of this beautiful appearance is as yet unknown, or
is only the subject of vague conjecture. Captain Symmes holds.
that these bright clouds are produced by the light of the sun
reflected from New Zealand and Van Diemen's Land, and per-
haps the south part of New Holland, which lie upon the oppo-
site side of the earth, and which, in the vicinity of Cape Horn,
are nearly in the zenith. They are upon the southern verge,
between the highest and lowest parts of it, and an observer near
Cape Horn is within the southern verge, or upon it, and his
zenith is not a radial line drawn from the center of the earth,
but is at right angles to a line equidistant from the outer and
inner surfaces of the earth, and nearly at right angles to the
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
21
plane of the verge, so that the opposite side of the earth would
be nearly in the zenith to him, and the light thrown from these
islands would present them as bright, luminous bodies, always
seen in the same direction, like moons, reflecting the light of
the sun.
They do not rise and set, as do the sun and moon;
and this fact gives plausibility to the explanation.
Facts, attested by good authority, prove the existence of a
warmer climate beyond the verge. The Indians of the interior
of North America, in latitude about 60°, migrate west or north-
west on the approach of winter, to seek a milder climate, and
find no sea. Hearn establishes this fact. Though these Indians
thus migrate far to the northwest, they have, as Hearn informs.
us, no knowledge of the Pacific Ocean.
From the interior of North America, west of Hudson's Bay,
such emigration would have to be to a great distance to reach
the Arctic Ocean in the vicinity of Behring's Straits. This
course would take them through Alaska, and lead over the
verge, where they would come to a milder climate.
In 1789 Hearn traveled over this part of the continent.
Great changes have since taken place, and much information
has been obtained, yet it is interesting to know what were his
views at that time. He says, that for a long time he traveled
over a bleak, inhospitable country, and found it difficult to sus-
tain existence. At length the character of the country changed,
and he found a milder climate, sustaining vegetation, with forests
of timber of various kinds. He found also a variety of animals,
and inhabitants whom he calls "strangers," different from any
he had before seen.
From these people he learned there was a vast continent
stretching far to the northwest. They had also a tradition of a
large river, greater than McKenzie's River, far to the west and
northwest of them. This river was probably the great river.
Yukon, in Alaska, which rises southeast of Mount Elias and
flows west and northwest, some twelve hundred miles, into the
Pacific Ocean or into Behring's Straits. Its whole course is
along upon the verge, and at its mouth it should be warmer
than up the stream six hundred miles a fact that could be
easily ascertained. The statements of Hearn, so far as relates
1
22
THE THEORY OF
to climate, are corroborated by other travelers. They concur
in stating that, in high latitude, the inhabitants speak of the
south as colder than the north in the winter, and that they mi-
grate north in the winter season to a milder climate.
One navigator, Captain Ross, when in high latitude beyond
the verge, speaks of the Arctic Sea as being calm and clear of
ice, while south of him was a wide belt of ice. He describes
the currents of air coming from the north as being so warm as
to dissolve the snow and ice around him and far to the south.
Captain Parry makes frequent mention of these warm currents
of air coming from the north and northeast—that is, from the
interior of the earth.
Now, all these facts are utterly inconsistent with the com-
monly received opinion of the arctic regions, that the farther we
go to the north the colder it becomes. If any reliance can be
placed upon the representations of these explorers, it is fully
proved that, above and beyond 68° and 70° north latitude, in
the interior of North America, there is a milder climate than at
a lower degree of latitude. According to the common opinion,
such a climate could not encircle the poles, for every argument
which shows the climate colder at 45° than at 20° north, proves
it colder at the poles than at 70° north. Large herds of deer,
white bears, foxes, and other animals migrate northward on the
approach of winter. They can not exist upon the cold, icy belt
of the earth along the verge, and they instinctively migrate
where they can procure subsistence. From the regions around
the northern part of the verge they migrate to the north, and
from the southern border of the same they migrate south in
winter. From Canada and the countries along the same lati-
tude, immense flocks of migrating birds go south on the ap-
proach of winter and return in the spring. The reindeer in
March or April come down from the north in droves of thou-
sands and return north again in October, in the interior of North
America. (See Rees's Cyclopædia, "Hudson Bay.") The
same is true of the north of Asia. In these high latitudes the
musk-oxen and white bears thus migrate. The cattle are seen
retiring north on the ice in autumn, and returning in the spring
in great numbers, bringing their young with them. (See
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
23
J
Hearn's Journal, pp. 357, 358.) These are curious facts, and
well deserve a candid consideration,
Immense shoals of herrings, in good condition, according to
Buffon, come down from the polar seas, and are never known to
return. This renders the solution of the migration of fishes from
the north more difficult. If they return in the spring, why are
they never observed as well as when they go south? Admit
the Symmes theory, and the conjecture would not be unreason-
able, that they make the annual circuit of the earth, over the
exterior and interior surfaces and through both openings at the
poles. If, on the present hypothesis of the earth, we allow
land enough for the sustenance of the numerous herds of ani-
mals which annually migrate to the polar regions, there would
hardly remain water sufficient for the immense shoals of fishes
which abound there.
The true causes which produced this change of climate in the
arctic regions-heretofore supposed to be one vast solitude of
eternal ice-may not be fully known. The progress of science
and the discoveries of explorers will soon shed more light on
this interesting subject.
Spitzbergen, on the south side of the verge, is a bleak, bar-
ren country, while to the northward plants, flowers, and trees
are found. This island is upon or partly within the verge, and
the north part would lie within and be warmer than the south-
ern portion of the island.
Driftwood is found in great quantities upon the northern
coasts of Iceland, Norway, Spitzbergen, and the arctic borders.
of Siberia, having every appearance of a tropical production.
Trees of large dimensions and of different kinds are found, some
in a good state of preservation. Vegetables of singular char-
acter, and flowers of peculiar fragrance and color, unknown to
botanists, are sometimes found in this drift. These could not
be the production of the cold arctic regions, nor is it probable
they were drifted thither by the Gulf Stream or by submarine
currents, for their specific gravity would make this impossible.
Besides, why are they not found along the southern coasts of
these localities, if borne north by the Gulf Stream, and why is
not this drift seen as it passes along through the Atlantic.
24
THE THEORY OF
It is interesting, in this connection, to notice that one of the
results of late German exploration in the arctic regions is the
discovery of beds of mineral coal; also mountains higher than
Mont Blanc; and botanical specimens which indicate that
Greenland must have have been once covered with a rich vege-
tation; or, as Captain Symmes might have urged, these de-
posits were drifted from the interior of the earth.
The winters of Spitzbergen and England alternate in severity;
when it is cold in England, it is comparitively mild in Spitzber-
gen, and the reverse is true. The explanation is this: the
warm winds from the south moderate the winters of England,
but, continuing through the ice-bound regions of the verge, fall
down on Spitzbergen as cold, bleak winds, and lower the tempera-
ture of that island. So, winds out of the interior, which moderate.
the winter of this island, as they pass over the verge fall down
upon England as cold north winds.
McKenzie, who discovered the great river of the North bearing
his name, informs us that he found the river near its source clear
of ice, but along the location of the verge it was ice-bound, and
again open at its mouth. This is what would be expected if this
'heory be true, but is difficult of explanation upon any other
hypothesis.
PROOFS OF THE THEORY.
That a disposition to hollow cylinders does exist in nature, we
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 sur-
rounded with two luminous rings or bodies of matter, concen-
tric with each other, and with the body of the planet. These
rings no where adhere to the body of the planet, but are dis-
tinct 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 be-
yond. *
It is a fact, we believe, admitted by all, and of which
*Physical World, p. 42-Adam's Philosophy, vol. 4, p. 206; Philadelphia,
1807.
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
25
we have positive occular 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 thick-
ness must be very inconsiderable, for when the edge is turned
to the eye it is no longer visible, except to the powerful re-
flecting 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. We are 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 observa-
tion 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, we 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 can not see;
or if we form any opinion in relation to our own planet in partic-
ular, whose poles have never been explored, would not reason-
ing 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 opposi-
tion to us.
These circles appear alternately light and dark,
exactly as they should, supposing the planet to be constituted
1
26
THE THEORY OF
of concentric spheres (such as Symmes believes of the earth),
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 center. This, we 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 them-
selves 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 at-
mosphere of Mars, will apparently throw out the polar open-
ings, and present you with a view, similar to the appearance of
Mars, when his axis is at right angles to us.
Our next neighbor, Venus, between us and the sun (though
her being between us and the sun prevents us from having so
favorable an opportunity of examining her poles as those of
Mars, who is our next neighbor on the side opposite 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 ac-
tually 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
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
27
according to Symmes' 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 dis-
tance (which is of course more curved than the periphery of the
planet), and the same appearances, we 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 axis with different velocities would
at different times exhibit to our view the verge of a different
sphere.*
The most com-
The axis of the planet Jupiter is always at right angles with
a line drawn to the earth, consequently his poles are never pre-
sented to us; but his belts, which we can and do see, seem to
speak loudly in favor of a plurality of spheres.
mon 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,
how is it possible to account for those various changes in his
belts, or even for their existence at all? Astronomers, we un-
derstand, 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
"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.
Query-Might not such an appearance be accounted for as rationally, by sup-
posing the rays of the sun to shine or be reflected through one of her polar open-
ings, and to fall on the verge of the sphere at the opposite polar opening?
28
THE THEORY OF
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 ap-
pear to be swallowed by the intervening space. And if refrac-
tion 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 solu-
tion 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, revolv-
ing on different axis, and with different velocities, so as some-
times 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 di-
versified appearances which we discover. If some sections of
both crusts of the spheres be formed of water alone, and be-
come 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 appear-
ance of vast holes, or fractures, in his outer surface or crust,
through which an inner appears to be seen. This, also, seems
to favor 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 our 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
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
29
!
present their axis, 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,
(notwithstanding her slow rotation) 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 es-
pecially as her atmosphere is so light and rare as not to pro-
duce much refraction. The vast round deep caverns observa-
ble 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 dis-
covered 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 (or perhaps
the low side of the sphere being next to 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' theory.
They all have been long known to exist; yet we have never
heard them accounted for to the satisfaction of our mind. In-
deed, we believe some of them never was attempted to be
accounted for in any manner whatever. We 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 prin-
ciples, or in what manner, could they present the various ap-
pearances which we have enumerated? Why should the horns.
of Venus assume different shapes? What would make the
appearance of belts on Jupiter? Or rings and concentric cir-
cles at the poles of Mars? And, finally, in what position could
a round solid globe be placed to exhibit the rings of Saturn,
f
}
1
30
THE THEORY OF
revolving with different velocities, as 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 we 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 inexpli-
cable mystery and midnight darkness now perfectly accords.
with the established laws of nature, and can be understood by
the most ordinary capacity.
We would now advert to a few of the known terrestrial facts
which have a tendency to support the theory advanced by Cap
tain 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 north-
ern seas, and one that almost every author who adverts to the
northern fisheries confirms, that innumerable and almost incred-
itable numbers of whales, mackerel, herring, and other migra-
tory fish, annually come down in the spring season of the year
from the arctic 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; particu-
larly the herring and other small fish. They are not known to
return in shoals; and it is doubted by some writers on the sub-
ject 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
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
31
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 inex-
haustible, 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 (or at least greatly concave about the poles),
where could all those fish find room in winter?
But on
Symmes' plan, admitting the globe to be a hollow sphere, and
the inner, or concave part, as habitable as without (at least as
habitable for fish), the whole matter is at once explained.
Whales, and various fish, delight in cold regions. According
to Symmes' theory, a zone at a short distance beyond the real
verge of the sphere (which constitutes the coldest part, or as
he has thought proper to term it, "the icy circle, "), commenc-
ing 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 appar
ent 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
32
THE THEORY OF
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 migra-
tion of quadrupeds, are well authenticated by travelers and
others, particularly that of the reindeer. In Rees's Cyclo-
pedia, under the head "Hudson's Bay," it is stated that the
reindeer 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 be-
comes deep. Hudson's Bay is situated between sixty and
sixty-five degrees north latitude. We are informed by Profes-
sor Adams, of St. Petersburg, that on the northern coast of
Asia, every autumn the reindeer start northeastwardly 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 us 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 Siberia and Hudson's Bay,
in the gloom of a dark winter, we 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, who traveled very high north and northwest on the
continent of America, details various facts in his journal which
strongly corroborate Symmes' position. Some of the facts he
attempts to explain agreeably to his own ideas, and others he
considers inexplicable. Among a great collection of facts, he
states that large droves of musk-oxen abound within the arctic.
circle, few of which ever come so far south as the Hudson's
Bay factories. He mentions seeing, in the course of one day,
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
33
several herds of those animals, of seventy or eighty in a herd,
in about latitude sixty-eight degrees. He states that the polar
white bears are very rarely found by any of the Indians in
winter; and that their winter retreats appear to be unknown;*
that they are sometimes seen retiring towards the sea on the
ice in autumn, and appear again in great numbers in the latter
end of March, bringing their young with them.
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 reindeer and other animals
migrate north instead of south, as our buffalo on the plains of
Missouri do when pressed with snow and cold weather? In-
stinct 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 reindeer,
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 production-admitting that those animals heretofore
enumerated are propagated there—we should conclude that the
internal region of the earth is as much more favorable to the
*Hearne's Journal, pp. 357, 368.
† Hearne's Journal, pp. 364, 365.
3
34
THE THEORY OF
support of animal life, as the reindeer 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 hogsheads.*
He enumerates ten different species of geese, several of which
(particularly the snow geese, the blue geese, brent geese, and
horned wavey), 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 ob-
servers been able to discover where they make their winter res-
idence; 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 scen 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 Honorable D. Barrington and Colonel
Beaufoy, on the possibility of approaching the north pole, read
before the Royal Society of London, there is an extensive col-
lection of instances cited where navigators have reached high
*Hearne's Journal, p. 442.
† Hearne's Journal, pp. 442, 443, 444, 445, 446.
+Ibid, p. 445.
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
35
northern latitudes, from which it appears to be well authenti-
cated 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
* Barrington and Beaufoy, pp. 21, 51.
† Ibid, pp. 25, 61.
Ibid, pp. 25, 32, 37, 61.
66
[From the National Intelligencer of Sept. 30, 1824.]
•
?“ Polar Seas.-The fact that there are open seas round both the earth's poles
has received strong corroboration within the last few months.
We have now a
letter on our table from a naval officer at Drontheim, who notices the fact that
Captain Sabine had good weather and reached eighty degrees and thirty-one
minutes north latitude without obstruction from the ice, so that the expedition
might easily have proceeded farther had its object so required. We have also
had the pleasure to meet recently with a British officer, who, with two vessels
under his command, last season penetrated to seventy-four degrees twenty-five
minutes south latitude in the antarctic circle, which is about three degrees beyond
Cook's utmost limit. There he found the sea perfectly clear of ice, and might
have prosecuted his voyage towards the pole if other considerations had permitted.
There was no field of ice in sight towards the south, and the water was inhabited
by many finned and hump-backed whales-the longitude was between the south
Shetland Islands, lately discovered, and Sandwich land-this proves the former
to be an Archipelago (as was supposed) and not a continent. The voyage is re-
markable as being the utmost south upon record, and we hope to be favored with
other particulars of it. At present we have only to add that the variation of the
needle was extraordinary, and the more important as they could not readily be
explained by the philosophical principles at present maintained on the subject."
Literary Gazette.
36
THE THEORY OF
further north the more clear it is of ice.*
But at the same sea-
son 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, con-
sequently, vegetation invariably diminish; this, however, is as-
certained 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 reindeer, which are often ex-
ceedingly 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 Bar-
rington 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 con-
tinued 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 consid-
crably on the same parallels of latitude. New York, which is
situated in latitude forty degrees, is known to be considerably
colder in the winter than London, which is situated in latitude.
fifty-one 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
* Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 74.
† Purchas, vol. 1, p. 479.
Hearne's Journal, p. 7.
? Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 36-Dr. Birch's history of the Royal Society, vol.
et seq.
|| Bar, p. 101.
** Barrington and Beaufoy, pp. 25, 124.
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
37
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, we submit to the consider-
ation 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 extraor-
dinary, 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.
*At the mouth of St. Peter's River in winter it is as much colder than at Sackel's
Harbor as Sackel's Harbor is colder than Mobile, although St. Peter's is west and
Mobile south of Sackel's Harbor, at nearly equal distances.
Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 74-Ross's Voyage, vol. 1, p. 52, London, 1819.
Darwin's Botanic Garden.
}
38
THE THEORY OF
In the United States of America and in Europe the Aurora
Borealis is always seen to the north. But many of those trav-
elers 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 travelers 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 ac-
count, 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. "t
Consequently these people must live in a country not com-
posed of ice, for it appears they deem such an one uninhabit-
able. 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 prin-
ciples.
In high northern latitudes, owing to refraction or some other
peculiar circumstance which hitherto has not, to our knowledge,
been attempted to be accounted for, the extent of vision ap-
pears to be greatly increased, so that objects much farther 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 astonish-
ing distance of two hundred miles. These facts are well attested
*Ross's Voyage, vol. 1, p. 175.
† Ross's Voyage, vol. 1, p. 110.
Ross's Voyage, pp. 71, 135, 199, 206.
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
39
by Captain Ross and other navigators. How this can be ac-
counted for on the information maintained by the old theory
we can not conjecture. We believe it is admitted that the deck
of a vessel at sea, anywhere between the equator and latitude
fifty or sixty degrees, can not 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 clear-
ness, 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 ob-
jects situated on the verge at any point all around the sphere,
as they would be on an exact plane with the observer. And,
on the contrary, traveling across the verge from the convexity
to the concavity of the sphere a very few miles makes objects
disappear.
All northern navigators and travelers 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 lati-
tudes is that the latitude and longitude, as found by celestial
observations, 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 fluct-
uating 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 we know, been accounted for. They are three in num-
ber, of an irregular shape, and observed by night in the South
Atlantic and the southeast parts of the Pacific oceans (reversed
from New Holland and New Zealand), but never visible in the
eastern parts of the Indian Ocean; their color is like that of
*Mackenzie states "that sometimes the land looms so that there may be a great
deception in the distances."-Mackenzie's Voyage, p. 11, New York, 1802.
† Ross's Voyage, vol. 2, p. 4, London, 1819.
1
40
THE THEORY OF
7
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 ap-
pearance of these clouds by the great refractive power of the
amosphere about the polar openings, causing the opposite side.
of the verge to be pictured in the sky, as navigators informs us
objects do sometimes appear in the arctic regions; and in the
manner Scoresby's ship appeared in the sky, with every par-
ticular 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 propor-
tions of these clouds agree in their general outlines with the
southern part of New Zealand, the southeast part of New Hol-
land, 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
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
41
permanent. Not having the book at hand, we can not 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, we be-
lieve, concur that this is a phenomenon which universally occurs
in high northern latitudes, but it has hitherto remained unex
plained. We 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 possi-
bility 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 extraor-
dinary 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
center 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 me-
ridian 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 run-
ning 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 onward would turn
and point south. Should you proceed north on a meridian
42
THE THEORY OF
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 (governed most probably by some prin
ciple of electricity or other property contained in matter and
kept in one position, subject to the shape of the earth, which
may not even yet be exactly known), 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 cast in Asia and west in America, which
we are 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 con-
centric 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 satis-
factorily 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.t
* Ross's Voyage, vol. 2, p. 119.
† Physical World, p. 72.
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
43
According to the Symmes theory, each sphere has an inter-
mediate cavity or mid-plane-space of considerable extent situated
between the convex and concave surfaces of the sphere, filled
with a very light and elastic fluid, rarified in proportion to the
gravity or condensing power of the exposed surfaces of the re-
spective spheres; and also various other less cavities or spaces
between the larger or principle one, and the outer and inner
surfaces of the spheres, each filled with a similar fluid or gas,
most probably partaking much of the nature of hydrogen. This
fluid is lighter than that in which the sphere floats, and has a
tendency to poise it in universal space. The spheres, in many
parts of the unfathomable ocean, are believed to be water quite
through from the concave or convex surfaces to the great mid-
plane space, and probably the earthy or solid matter of the
sphere may in many places extend quite through from one sur-
face to the other, tending like ribs or braces to support the
sphere in its proper form. Such a formation of spheres appears
to be supported by various facts and phenomena, amongst the
most prominent of which are volcanoes and earthquakes.
Many volcanic mountains burst out and burn for ages, discharg-
ing from the bowels of the earth immense quantities of lava,
pumice, and vitrious substances of various kinds. Some of
these mountains have been burning for thousands of years, at
least as far back as the records of history have been made known
to us.
Had the earth at its formation been a solid globe four times
as hard as hammered iron at the center, and gradually lessening
in density towards the surface, we must admit that it would still
be solid matter. Governing ourselves by these principles, how
can we imagine that such immense caverns, filled with com-
bustible matter as would be necessary to supply those volcanoes
from time immemorial, could have existed? However, that
they do exist is certain, which we think is in no way more
easily accounted for than on the plan of a mid-plane-space, or of
spaces filled with a certain hydrogenous gas, which being much
lighter than atmospheric air, if there should be any small aper-
ture or crevice extending from the surface to the space beneath,
the gravity of the outer part of the sphere pressing on it would
'
44
THE THEORY OF
occasion a portion of this gas to escape through the aperture,
and as it comes in contact with the oxygen of the atmosphere
would take fire and occasion those tremendous explosions which
we know do sometimes take place and cause those mountains
to burn for years, until the cavity which supplied the volcanic
matter becomes exhausted, or until some shock or convulsion
consequent on the burning may have loosened rocks or earth
of the denser part of the sphere, which, falling into the aper-
ture, choke it up. Hence, the gas ceasing to escape, the vol-
cano would cease to burn until some shock or accident should
again open the aperture.
The elastic fluid with which the mid-plane cavities are filled
being forced out into the common atmosphere, the greater de-
gree of gravity would condense and set free its latent heat or
caloric and be resolved into its original base, somewhat as coal
gas out of the tube of a gas-light apparatus yields up its latent
heat by condensation. Hence steam burns when mixed with
coal-gas.
If the earth be a solid globe, we are at a loss to account for
the cause of earthquakes. Long before the promulgation of
Symmes' theory, or perhaps before it had an existence in
the mind of man, when reading accounts of earthquakes it ap-
peared to us altogether unaccountable that such violent con-
cussions could take place in one part of the world and not be
felt throughout the globe. It appears altogether inconsistent
that one part of a solid piece of matter would be shaken so vio-
lently without affecting the whole mass. We are informed by
authentic history that whole islands and vast sections of coun-
try have been sunk by earthquakes and never more heard of.
On the other hand, islands which are now inhabited and pro-
ductive have been raised apparently from the bottom of the
unfathomable occan. How such things occur we are unable to
divine. If the globe be solid, on what principle could a large
portion of its surface, which is said to be lighter than the parts
beneath, sink into a dense medium? How could a heavy mass,
lying a thousand fathoms deep at the bottom of the ocean, rise
and be suddenly elevated above the surface of the water, when
all below is so compact and governed by an opposite and im-
mutable tendency? It appears to be a solecism in nature.
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
45
We have had detailed to us the effects of earthquakes from
the lips of an eye witness. He was in the neighborhood of
New Madrid, on the Mississippi River, in the year 1812, at the
time when that country was so violently convulsed with an
earthquake. He saw and heard innumerable explosions, as
though a large quantity of air had been confined in the bowels
of the earth, and, seeking vent, rushed out with a tremendous
sound, forcing up considerable quantities of sand through the
apertures, in many instances mixed with black muddy water
and a substance resembling stone coal or carbonated wood,
which emitted a strong bituminous odor when exposed to fire.
At one place the river was stopped in its course a short time,
the water rose to a considerable height above its common level,
and on the west side of the channel of the river there was a
counter-current for a few minutes of an astonishing velocity.
So great was its force that for some distance the cotton wood
and willows on the margin of the river were either prostrated
or bent up the stream, and their branches looked as if they had
been dragged a long way on the ground. The waters of the
river soon subsided and flowed in their natural direction.
So tremendous were those explosions that when happening
under large trees the tenacity of their texture yielded at once
to their force, and the largest in the forest were split and frac-
tured from root to top. During these convulsions the ground
on which the town of New Madrid is situated, together with the
country for several miles round, sunk about five feet below its
former elevation, in which situation it has remained. Eight
years afterwards the narrator was again on the same spot. The
desolate aspect which the country presented at the time he
witnessed those scenes was measurably obliterated, but the
banks of the river were still in their sunken situation.
How could all those violent convulsions take place at this
point and not be felt at New Orleans, along the sea coast of the
United States, and other places? Whence came this water and
air which issued from those apertures in the earth? And why
did the river for a few minutes flow in a contrary direction and
then resume its natural course? If the earth be a compact and
solid globe we can account for none of these things; but, ad-
46
THE THEORY OF
mitting the formation of the sphere to be such as we contend
for, they are all resolved into the most simple principles, and
what would otherwise be impenetrable mystery is made as plain
as noon-day. If the sphere be formed as we allege, those con-
cussions were doubtless occasioned by the gas or fluid in the
mid-plane or some intermediate space near the surface, which,
by being suddenly rarified, would make it expand and cause the
upper part of the sphere to be suddenly elevated in the neigh-
borhood of the Little Prairie, and hence the waters of the river,
pursuing the laws of gravity, would flow in a contrary direction.
This sudden expansion and elevation of the surface would cause.
apertures through which the rare gas would escape, and the
surface would then settle down again, not only to its former
level, but, as a considerable portion of this gas had escaped, the
remaining part would occupy less space; hence the surface of
the country around New Madrid would be below its former sit-
uation.*
* EARTHQUAKES.-M. Biot, after detailing the phenomena of the earthquake on
the 22d of February, 1822, concludes an interesting paper with these observations :
"In the infancy of chemistry and natural philosophy it was imagined that earth-
quakes might be easily explained; in proportion as these sciences have become
more correct and more profound this confidence has decreased. But, by a pro-
pensity for which the character of the human mind sufficiently accounts, all the
new physical agents which have been successively discovered, such as electricity,
magnetism, the inflammation of gases, the decomposition and recomposition of
water, have been maintained in theories as the causes of the great phenomena of
nature. Now, all these conjectures seem to be insufficient to explain convulsions
so extensively produced at the same time over such large portions of the earth as
those which take place during earthquakes. The most probable opinion, the only
one which seems to us to reconcile, in a certain degree, the energy, the extent of
these phenomena, and often their frightful correspondence in the most distant
countries of the globe, would be to suppose, conformably to many other physical
indications, that the solid surface on which we live is but of inconsiderable thick-
ness in comparison with the semi-diameter of the terrestrial globe, is in some
measure only a recent shell covering a liquid nucleus, perhaps still in a state of
ignition, in which great chemical or physical phenomena operating at intervals
cause those agitations which are transmitted to us. The countries where the
superficial crust is less thick or less strong, more recently or more imperfectly con-
solidated, would, agreeably to this hypothesis, be those the most liable to be con-
vulsed and broken by the violence of these internal explosions. Now, if we
compare together the experiments on the length of the pendulum, which have been
made for some years past with great accuracy, from the north of Scotland to the
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
47
The fluid or gas which fills the mid-plane and intermediate
cavities is most probably the same, or partaking of the same
nature (though perhaps in a purer state), with that which oozes
out of fissures in the earth at the bottom of deep mines, called
by chemists hydro-carbonate, which, being highly inflammable,
takes fire from the lamps used by workmen and explodes with
such violence as to destroy both men and horses employed in
the mine. This is a frequent occurrence in the deep coal mines.
of England, and great numbers annually have lost their lives
in this way before the introduction of Sir Humphrey Davy's
lamp. We are also informed, from good authority, that the
miners in some of the deep coal mines in England once felt or
heard an earthquake which happened in Italy whilst those on
the surface of the ground had no knowledge of it. This would
be the case if the intermediate cavities which causes the earth-
quake extended in that direction and near the bottom of the
mine, as it is presumed the rare gas with which those spaces
are filled is better adapted to the conveyance of sound or vibra-
tory motion than the more solid parts of the sphere, or even
the atmosphere around us.
On the supposition that the globe is solid, and the matter
composing it at rest, as repects itself, on what principle can
boiling and hot springs be accounted for? some of which issue
out several thousands of miles distant from where any volcano
or subterranean fire is known to exist, particularly as to those
on the waters of Red River, in the State of Louisiana, which
are sufficiently hot to cook meat in a few minutes.
south of Spain, we readily perceive that the intensity of gravitation decreases on
this space as we go from the pole towards the equator more rapidly than it ought
to do upon an ellipsoid, the concentric and similar strata of which should have
equal densities at equal depths, and the deviation is especially sensible about the
middle of France, where, too, there has been observed a striking irregularity in the
length of the degrees of the earth. This local decrease of gravity in these countries
should seem to indicate, with some probability, that the strata near the surface
must be less dense there than elsewhere, and perhaps have in their interior im-
mense cavities. This would account for the existence of the numerous volcanos
of which these strata show the traces, and explain why they are even now at in-
tervals the focus of subterraneous convulsions.
48
THE THEORY OF
Phenomena which occur in various lakes in Europe may be
adverted to in support of this theory. The waters of Lake
Zirchnitzer, in the Dutchy of Carniola, in Germany, flow off
and leave the basin empty, and again fill it in an extraordinary
and impetuous manner, bringing up with its waters fish and
even sometimes wild water fowls.* In the same country there
is a subterranean lake in the Grotto Podspetschio of consider-
able extent. The whole of this vast body of water at certain
times will disappear in a few minutes and leave the basin dry,
and after a few weeks it again suddenly returns with a frightful
noise. The Lake Geneva, and some others in Switzerland, at
certain times rise and fall several feet without any cause which
has as yet been satisfactorily explained, and some writers in-
form us that those lakes, particularly Geneva, send forth at
times a grumbling noise. In the Saian mountains, near the
source of the Yenisei, is a lake called Boulamy-Koul, which at
the approach of winter emits strange sounds, somewhat similar
to those which precede the eruption of a volcano, and which
are compared by the neighboring inhabitants to howling. The
inhabitants on the borders of Baikal also state that they have
often heard dreadful and terrific howlings proceed from that
lake. The Lake Agnano, in Italy, sometimes, especially when
the waters are high, appears to boil at its borders. This ebul-
lition is supposed to be occasioned by some gaseous fluids dis-
charged into the bottom which traverse the waters of the lake.†
These various phenomena, which can not be easily accounted
for, might be best explained, perhaps, on the principles of mid-
plane-spaces. In various parts of the north thick strata of ice
are found under a thick soil, and on icebergs floating in the
ocean have been discovered masses of earth, granite, and other
rocks.
On the shores of Greenland the ebb tide flows towards the
coast, apparently as though it passes under the land, and the
flood tide recedes from the shore, and in those regions the sea
*Cook's Geography, vol. 2, p. 250-Also Rees's Cyclopedia, article Lake.
† Rees's Cyclopedia, article Lake Geneva.
Ross's Voyage, vol. 1, p. 225.
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
49
is almost universally found deeper as you approach the shore.*
When the whales become scarce experience has taught the
whalers to seek for them near the shore, as if at certain seasons
they retired to it and then disappeared. Captain Symmes im-
agines that the sea extends quite through the spheres about
Greenland, and that the whales suddenly migrate either to the
mid-plane-space or to the seas at the opposite side, which he
alleges to be the case with several other species of fish as well
as seals, all of which he supposes breed in the mid-plane-space.
The reasons that induce him to adopt this conclusion are vari-
ous, such as, that fish have been thrown up by the eruption of
a volcano in South Americat-herring appearing in such im-
mense numbers at certain seasons of the year-the whales
seeming to pass under Greenland-two seals having been once
caught in Lake Ontario, which is said to be unfathomable, al-
though this lake is many degrees south of where the seals have
ever before been known to come-and the various species of
fish in our northern lakes which appear and disappear at certain
periods. That the exterior seas in some places communicate
with the interior seas is rendered probable by various other
circumstances, such as currents running continually into the
Mediterranean and no visible outlet to the water thus continually
flowing in. It is scarcely probable that evaporation could carry
off all the water supplied by the straits of Gibraltar-the white
sea being more salt at the head than at the foot-—the tides being
higher in the Baltic than the Mediterranean-white foxes having
been forced up by the waters of the sea (as Symmes undertakes
to prove) in the northern regions—the peculiarities of the tre-
mendous whirlpool on the coast of Norway called the Maal-
stroom, which sucks in and discharges the waters of the sea
with great violence—and those observable in the Bay of Biscay,
which are said to be unfathomable.
Further proof and confirmation of the Symmes theory is to
be found in the report of Dr. Kane's expedition during the
years 1853, 1854, and 1855, which, besides confirming the
* Ibid, vol. I, p. 144.
† Humboldt.
4
1
50
THE THEORY OF
truth of former expeditions as to milder climate beyond the
arctic circle, and the presence of animals and fowls in those
high northern latitudes, makes known the discovery of an open
polar sea as a fact beyond question. The warmth of the climate,
the temperature of the water, and the presence of rain clouds,
to say nothing of the presence of plants, fowls, and animals,
are such strong arguments of the truth of the Symmes hypo-
thesis that we give the report of the discovery of the open polar
sea in the words of Mr. Morton himself:
“June 4.—I left the vessel at 4 P. M. in company with the
party of Messrs. McGary and Bonsall, and arrived at Cache
Island on the 14th. The details of this journey are fully given
in Mr. Bonsall's report.
“I remained at this place with Messrs. McGary and Bonsall's
party, waiting for Hans, who arrived with the dog-sledge two
days later.
"June 18.-Allowing twenty-four hours' rest for Hans and
the dogs, we set out at 0:30 A. M. in company with the other
party, with whom we were forced to travel a mile on their way
to the west, in order to avoid some cracks and openings in the
ice near the glacier.
"After leaving them we pursued a northerly course nearly
parallel with the glacier, and from five to seven miles distant
from it, according to the condition of the ice.
"The snow was deep and free from hummocks; but, as the
traveling was very heavy, we averaged only about three and a
half miles per hours, which, in a continued journey of seven
and a half hours, made our total distance but little more than
twenty-six miles.
"The appearance of the glacier is accurately described in
Mr. Bonsall's report.
When about twelve miles out I took a back-bearing to
Cache Island, and found it N. 284° E. magn. (N. 176° E. true.)
We encamped at 8 A. M., our course having been N. 103° E.
magn. (N. 5° W. true.) A back-bearing from the camp to
Cache Island gave N. 285° E. magn. (N. 177° E. true.)
"We started again at 9:30 P. M., and halted at midnight in
order to take observations.
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
5 I
"June 19.-We resumed our journey at I A. M. During
three successive hours the traveling was very heavy; the sledge
would sometimes be buried in the snow, notwithstanding all our
exertions to prevent it. Afterwards the traveling became
better, and we moved off at the rate of four miles per hour
until 4:20 A. M., when we were suddenly checked by meeting
the barrier of icebergs mentioned by Mr. Bonsall in his journey
in September, 1853. The icebergs and hummocks were so
close together that we could not see one hundred yards in any
direction. We pursued a westerly course about five miles along
the edge of the hummocks and icebergs, when we discovered
an opening between them, which we entered, and after a short
circuitous route struck again on the right course. We halted
at 5:45 A. M., and after supper climbed a high iceberg to select
our course for the next day. From this point I discovered
some rocks projecting from the face of the glacier, and also
some hills on its surface. The sun was so much obscured that
I could not obtain a solar bearing.
cracks.
"At 10:30 P. M. we resumed our journey, our course being
N. 76° E. magn. (N. 32° W. true), but at the end of three
miles our progress was arrested by icebergs, hummocks, and
We therefore were forced to retrace our steps, and at
midnight arrived again at our last encampment. We then fol-
lowed a westerly course, and four miles brought us to a group
of icebergs, between which we found great difficulty in making
our way, having to ferry ourselves occasionally over the numer-
ous lanes of water, or to make bridges over them from the floe-
pieces which were piled up in hummocks on the edges of the
cracks.
'June 20.-We succeeded in getting through the bergs by
2:30 A. M. Hans shot a dovekie in one of the cracks. At the
same time we first sighted the west land with three prominent
capes. We soon got on better ice than we had yet passed over,
and made good headway to the N. and E. to within twelve
miles of the glacier and about forty miles of the west shore.
"The level surface of the glacier was interrupted by rocks
and landhills, excepting which, the back ground was nothing
but snow or glacier. The land becomes continuous to the N.,
52
THE THEORY OF
and has an appearance similar to the hills west of our winter
quarters, only the debris is comparatively not so high.
"No seals were seen during the two preceding days, but
to-day we saw several, and three dovekies. We encamped at
7:20 A. M., and at 11:20 P. M. started again and stood for a point
of land which I supposed to be a cape, as there was a vacancy
between it and the west land. The ice was good and free from
bergs, only two or three in sight.
"The weather became very thick and misty. We suffered
from cold, a strong N. E. wind blowing off the glacier at the
time. Temp. +20°. The west land which I saw faintly yester-
day was soon obscured, and the cape for which I stood vanished
from our view, only a small portion of the east shore remaining
faintly visible. I steered my course entirely by bearings of the
cape which I took yesterday.
"June 21.-At 7 A. M. we reached the mouth of a channel
having to the northward and westward a fine headland. Here
stretching ahead we found open water, and before I was aware
of it we had gone some distance on rotten ice, which was so
weak that we could not get within a mile and a half of the open
water. My first intention was to go up the channel on the ice,
but the water prevented it. We retraced our steps carefully,
calling the dogs after us, as they were very much frightened.
Birds, apparently ducks, were seen in great numbers flying over
the open water.
"On reaching the safe ice we traveled in an easterly direc-
tion, standing for the cape on the east side of the channel, and
halted a mile from it at 7:40 a. M.
"After supper, or more properly breakfast, I went to the
cape, and around it at the distance of four miles from our camp.
The temperature of the water was +40°. I found it would be
difficult to pass the cape with a sledge, as the ice-foot was
scarcely broad enough; but beyond the cape the ice-foot be-
came better, and would apparently afford good traveling. We
returned, fed the dogs, and turned in, after taking a meridian-
altitude of the sun.
"We started at 11:30 P. M. One of us climbed up the ice-
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
53
belt, while the other handed up the dogs and provisions, mak-
ing a ladder of the sledge. While here we saw a large flock of
geese.
"We then prepared for a journey up the channel, by making
a cache of half our provisions, which would be enough to take
us to the vessel on our return. It was very difficult to get
around the cape, as the ice-foot was nearly all worn away, and
the cliffs were very steep. This caused me to reflect what could
be done in case the narrow ice-foot should be washed away
before my return. I observed a ledge on the face of the cliffs
about seventy feet above the ice-belt, over which I could escape
myself, and leave the dogs and sledge behind.
"We put the sledge on one runner, and thus passed around
the most narrow part of the ice-foot. The water under us was
very deep and transparent. Its temperature was 36° close
alongside of the ice-foot, but in a rapid tideway. We here lost
our thermometer.
"June 22.—At 0:30 A. M. we got around the cape and found
good traveling; we went freely at the rate of six miles per hour.
After passing three or four bluffs with small inlets, we got be-
yond the cliffs, where a low country opened on us.
saw nine seals in a small bay.
Here we
"The land-ice across this shallow bay or inlet extended in
some places two miles from the water's edge, where piles of
gravel were formed, so that the sledge was drawn between
hummocks of gravel. On account of this broad land-ice we
were enabled, in some places, to make a short cut, instead of
following all the indentations of the coast. About two miles
in-shore were cliffs which appeared perpendicular, and not unlike
the broken walls of houses. About midnight I observed pieces
of ice moving up the channel, toward the north, at the rate of
four knots per hour; and now when we are encamping they are
moving down the channel at the same rate.
"The ice here is entirely broken up, and the channel is
navigable for vessels of any size. Eider-ducks are so numerous
that Hans killed two at one shot. Large flocks of geese are
flying in-shore and up the channel, and the rocks are covered
with tern, who are now breeding. Dovekies are very num-
1
54
THE THEORY OF
erous, and ivory-gulls and burgomasters have made their ap
pearance.
"We have traveled fifty miles to-day, and must be forty-five
miles up the channel. It has been very cold, and so cloudy
that I have not been able to see the sun since I entered the
channel, which runs north (true) and seems to be about thirty-
five miles wide. The opposite (western) shore runs apparently
in a straight line, and is very high; the mountains, having a
form resembling a sugar-loaf, extend far back in the interior.
This coast-line is interrupted by only two bays.
"June 23.In consequence of a gale, we did not start until
0:30 A. M. After traveling about six miles we were arrested by
floe ice in an inlet, which was pressed over the land-ice against
the mountains to the height of one hundred feet. Beyond this
there was no ice-belt. We secured the dogs and left the sledge,
as it would be impossible to transport them over these hum-
mocks, which we succeeded in ourselves crossing with great
difficulty. Our object was to ascertain the state of the travel-
ing on the other side. We found it worse, with few landing.
places, the cliffs overhanging the water and broken masses of
ice. On these we ferried ourselves over to such pieces of ice
as were attached to the coast. In this manner we traveled
about four miles and returned, after sighting a high cape on
the north side of a bay before us, opposite to which lay an
island. On reaching the sledge we made ourselves as comfort-
able as possible, and resolved to go on to-morrow without it.
Here the ducks were less numerous, but gulls were seen in
numbers.
"June 24.—We started on foot at 3 A. M., taking with us a
small stock of provisions. We found great difficulty in crossing
some places, where, in the absence of land-ice, we were forced
to crawl over the rocks, or get on loose floating pieces of ice
and jump from one to another, or else ferry ourselves until we
could again reach the land.
"When about nine miles on our way to-day, we saw a bear
with a young one at a short distance from us.
had followed us, and, seing the bear, gave
bear ran a considerable distance in-shore.
Five of our dogs
chase to it. The
The young one,
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
55
which could not move fast enough, was pushed ahead by the
old one, which sometimes turned round and faced the dogs in
order to enable the little one to gain ground. Finally she
stopped, and, taking the cub between her fore-legs, guarded it,
She would
and at the same time kept the dogs at a distance.
sometimes make a jump at them, but always kept her eye on
the little one, and never left it unprotected. She was thus
fighting them off when we came up, and Hans shot her dead
and then killed the cub. We skinned both of them, and gave
the old one to the dogs, but cached the young one, to be eaten
on our return. The skins we wished to take with us to the ship.
We found at this place the runner of an esquimaux sledge.
Many small pieces of willow, about an inch and a half in
diameter, had drifted up the eastern slope of this bay. Much
grass was seen, as well as many plants, all of which I have re-
ported to Dr. Kane. We had wood enough, including the
sledge-runner, to cook a large part of the bear.
"After this delay we started in the hope of being able to
reach the cape to the north of us. At the very lower end of
the bay there was still a little old fast ice, over which we went
without following the curve of the bay up the fiord, which
shortened our distance considerably. Hans became tired, and
I sent him more inland, where the traveling was less laborious.
As I proceeded toward the cape ahead of me the water came
again close in-shore. I endeavored to reach it, but found this
extremely difficult, as there were piles of broken rocks rising
on the cliffs, in many places to the height of one hundred feet.
The cliffs above these were perpendicular, and nearly two
thousand feet high. I climbed over the rubbish; but beyond
it the sea was washing the foot of the cliffs, and, as there were
no ledges, it was impossible for me to advance another foot. I
was much disappointed, because one hour's travel would have
brought me round the cape. The knob to which I climbed was
over five hundred feet in height, and from it there was not a
speck of ice to be seen. As far as I could discern, the sea was
open, a swell coming in from the northward and running cross-
wise, as if with a small eastern set. The wind was due N.—
enough of it to make white caps-and the surf broke in on the
56
THE THEORY OF
rocks below in regular breakers. The sky to the N. W. was of
dark rain-cloud, the first that I had seen since the brig was
frozen up. Ivory-gulls were nesting in the rocks above me,
and out to sea were molle-moke and silver-backed gulls. The
ducks had not been seen N. of the first island of the channel,
but petrel and gulls hung about the waves near the coast.
"June 25.—As it was impossible to get around the cape, I
retraced my steps and soon came up to Hans, who had remained
a short distance behind.
'When we returned to the spot where the bears were killed
the dogs had another feed; they had not followed us any farther,
but remained near the carcass of the bear. Three of them lying
down, having eaten so much they were unable to run.
"After a difficult passage around the southern cape of the
bay we arrived at our camp, where we had left the sledge at
5 P. M., having been absent thirty-six hours, during which time
we had traveled twenty miles due north of it.
"June 26.- Before starting I took a meridian-altitude of the
sun (this being the highest northern point I obtained it except
one, as, during the last two days, the weather had been cloudy,
with a gale blowing from the north), and then set off at 4 P. M.
on our return down the channel to the south.
"I can not imagine what becomes of the ice. A strong cur-
rent sets it almost constantly to the south; but, from altitudes
of more than five hundred feet, I saw only narrow strips of ice
with great spaces of open water, from ten to fifteen miles in
breadth, between them. It must therefore either go to an open
space in the north or dissolve. The tides in-shore seemed to
make both north and south, but the tide from northward ran
seven hours, and there was no slack-water. The wind blew
heavily down the channel from the open water, and had been
freshening since yesterday nearly to a gale, but it brought no
ice with it.
"To-day we again reached the entering cape of the channel,
and camped at the place where we deposited half of our pro-
visions on our journey to the north. I here found the ther-
mometer which I had lost on the 21st. The water, five feet
}
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
57
deep, taken from a rock, gave +40°, the tide setting from
northward. The air in the shade was +34°.
"June 27.-We started at 2 P. M. and traveled four hours,
but the snow was so soft, in consequence of the warm sun,
that we made slow progress. We camped at 6 P. M., intending
to commence our night-traveling again.
"June 28.-We started at 2 A. M., and traveled along the
land in order to discover more accurately where the glacier
joins it. About thirty miles from the entrance of the channel
it overlaps the land, which here becomes gradually lower.
This land is of low round knobs, about eight hundred feet high.
"Two large cracks running east and west caused us some
delay. We had to go a great distance to the west near one of
them, until we found a loose piece in it large enough to ferry
ourselves and the sledge over. A great number of seals were
around the cracks. We halted at 9:45 a. M. opposite the place
where the land and glacier unite.
"June 29.—We started at 0:40 A. M., and went to the south
between the icebergs. We were detained by two cracks which
we met with to-day. We saw the west shore to the south-of-
west from us, which, as far as the eye could reach, did not
appear to alter its trend
"June 30.-We started at 1:40 A. M., and soon got clear of
the icebergs. We found better traveling-ice; but the snow was
soft, and melting very fast. In a few days more it will be im-
possible to travel here.
J
"This morning we sighted Cache Island, and shaped our
course for Sunny Gorge. I saw the western shore to-day and
think it was about sixty miles distant.
"July 1. We started at 2:30 A. M. The traveling to-day
was very heavy, the snow being so soft that we sometimes sank
to our knees in water, yet we got along safely. A great num-
ber of seals were on the ice, and the west shore in sight.
"July 2.—We started at 0:30 A. M., and traveled fast toward
Sunny Gorge. The places between the old hummocks were
filled with water. The dogs were sometimes actually swimming
and the sledge floating. At 8 A. M. we halted, being very much
exhausted; we gave the dogs half feed. After a short rest we
}
58
THE THEORY OF
started again at I P. M., and reached the belt at 2:30 P. M. This
belt-ice was firm and solid, twenty paces wide and eighteen
feet thick. We reached Sunny Gorge at 3:40 P. M., where we
encamped.
"July 3.—We started at 4:40 A. M., and traveled along the
land-ice, which, in some places, is completely overflowed by
water falling in cascades and torrents from the tops of the cliffs.
It has already made trenches for itself in some places by cutting
the land-ice completely through down to the gravel.
"When we passed Cape George Russell I saw the alcohol-
keg sticking out of the land-ice, and tried to get it, but this was
impossible. I then made a hole in it and tasted the contents,
but found the alcohol much diluted by snow-water.
The dogs'
feet were considerably cut by the honey-combed ice. We
camped near Chimney Rock at II A. M.
"We started again at 7 P. M. and crossed Marshall Bay,
which was covered with water. Minturn River had made for
itself a channel more than one hundred yards wide, over which
we ferried ourselves, sledge, and dogs on a large loose piece of
ice. To the west of Marshall Bay a torrent of water came
down every ravine, which obliged us to go off the ice-foot and
on the floe around it.
“July 4.—At 7 A. M. we arrived at the brig, after an absence
of thirty days."
AURORA BOREALIS.
There is another subject that goes far to prove the existence
of a beautiful world in the interior of the spherical shell which
we inhabit, and that is the Aurora Borealis.
The brilliant displays of auroral lights that are frequently
beheld emanating from the arctic circle have thus far baffled all
attempts of scientific minds to unfold their mysteries, and these
phenomena remain to-day, as they ever have, entirely inexpli-
cable.
Although they sometimes light up a great portion of the
northern hemisphere with unequaled beauty and grandeur by
their softened, mellow scintillations, yet all the causes that
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
59
produce their glories are shrouded and concealed from the
minds of men in the darkness of Egyptian night.
Very many observations have been made by men of learning
in order to penetrate this mystery, but as yet they have resulted
in very little that would explain the philosophy of the Aurora
Borealis.
The old time theory is that it is caused by electricity. But
Doctor Bissels, one of Captain Hall's scientific corps, beheld
it in all its glory, and could detect but a particle of electricity
in the atmosphere by the aid of instruments.
It will be remembered that its appearance is almost univer-
sally at night, and very seldom when the sun is shining, as the
sun's influence seems to be more powerful upon our earth than
the elements that produce the Aurora.
The auroral element, when in activity, displays a softened and
mellow light, but always in the extreme north-even upon the
exterior surface of the globe-one that at times is entirely suf
ficient for practical purposes; and it is our honest conviction
that an exploration of the grand interior, where this kind of
light universally prevails, would give us a lucid explanation of
the whole subject of auroral phenomena.
If the auroral light has no connection with the interior world,
how strange that it should occur at the poles, the natural center
of extreme cold, where the least possible amount of solar in-
fluence can be exerted, and the only portion of our globe
where possibly can be found accessible apertures that would
connect the two surfaces; and how singular that such lights
should exhibit themselves in their greatest glory in the absence
of the sun and always under an arch. We venture the opinion,
based upon analogical reasoning, that the interior surface of
our globe is already unfolded to a condition quite as high as
the exterior of the outer independent planets-that beautiful
auroral and magnetic lights and genial warmth are all produced
by the more advanced inherent powers existing within this
shell, and that the auroral polar lights are, to a great extent,
generated by powers and elements that exist in and emanate
from the interior world.
1
60
THE THEORY OF
If there was no such beautifully unfolded inner world con-
nected with the polar regions, upon which the sun's rays enter
from the south polar opening, and reflect and refract, then there
would be no such grand illuminations thrown out in the north
to awaken the sublimest emotions in the mind of every beholder.
Reason, common sense, and all the analogies in the natural
universe, conspire to support and establish the theory, and an
examination will prove that it is the most natural and harmoni-
ous view of this subject that has ever been presented for the
consideration of the human mind.
CAPTAIN HALL'S EXPEdition.
The first exploring expedition ever fitted out by our Gov-
ernment was in 1871, and under the command of Captain Hall,
who was formerly a business man on Fourth Street, in the city
of Cincinnati, Ohio.
He was furnished a steam vessel, which he named the Polaris,
and steamed out of New York Harbor June 29, 1871. After
staying nearly a week at one place in Greenland to obtain the
skins of wild animals to make the necessary clothing for his men,
and at another place four or five days to purchase the Esqui-
maux dogs for his sled rides and to hire drivers for them, and
several days for the steamer Congress to bring up extra supplies
from New York, he was fully prepared, as he thought, for his
trip to the North Pole. He accordingly left Greenland and
pushed his way through the ice up to eighty-two degrees and
sixteen minutes, when he got into open water and into a much
warmer climate than he expected. This so alarmed his sailing-
master, Captain Buddington, that he stopped the further
progress of the vessel, and told Captain Hall that they must
go no further in that direction, but must go into winter quar-
Now this took place on the 29th day of August fol-
lowing, showing that it took only two months to run from New
York through the icy regions and out into open water, after
stopping some fifteen or eighteen days on the way.
ters.
It was Captain Hall's privilege to say go in this direction or
in that, but if Captain Buddington thought there was danger in
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
61
going where Captain Hall directed, it was his privilege to pre-
vent it, as he occupied the position of sailing-master.
The reason he stopped the vessel at 82° 16′ was that he did
not understand the "Symmes Theory," which differs so much
from that of Sir Isaac Newton. After the eightieth degree
of north latitude is passed, as Newton says, it is one vast soli-
tude of eternal ice up to the nintieth degree, while Symmes
says after the eightieth degree is passed the climate begins to
moderate and you get into a country of open water, where will
be found more water fowls and wild animals than can be found
anywhere else in creation, and that the open polar sea will be
found at about the eighty-third degree.
When Buddington stopped the vessel Captain Hall begged to
go just one degree further north, saying "it would be a big
thing for him, as other vessels had got up as high as he then
was, but none up to the eighty-third degree.'
In
It was in the evening when the vessel was stopped, and Bud-
dington finally agreed with Captain Hall to hold a consultation
among the crew, and if a majority agreed to go on then he
would do so, and if not they must go into winter quarters.
the morning a Mr. Hobby, who was thought to have better
vision than the others, was the first sent up to the "look-out,”
and he said he could see forty or fifty miles northward, and, as
there was no ice in the way, but all open water, he was for going
on. Then a Mr. Chester, who was mate of the vessel, went up
and said, "I can see thirty or forty miles northward and there
is no ice in the way, and I also see a cloud up there that denotes
open water." When he came down he was for going on, when
some one asked him what he meant by that cloud he spoke of,
and he said, 'I mean a water cloud, that denotes that there is
no ice or snow under it, and if you don't believe it let one of
the scientific men go up and take a look at it.
""
A Mr. Meier, of that department, went up and said, "I can
see forty or fifty miles northward, and I see the cloud spoken of
by Mr. Chester, and I will guarantee that if you will run up to it
you will find open water plenty," meaning that if there is an
open polar sea it can be found there, and they all with one
#
62
THE THEORY OF
1
accord said "Let's go on," when Buddington exclaimed, "I'll
be dammed if the vessel shall go any further."
'Hold on, then," said Mr. Meier, "before we turn back I
want to measure the distance up to that cloud," and he got out
his instruments and first took the position of the vessel, which
then had floated back to 82° and 9', as the current runs from
north to south at the rate of eight miles in twenty-four hours.
He said it was just sixty-four miles up to the cloud. Now put
the nine minutes to the sixty-four miles, and you are up to 83°
and 3', which proves the Symmes theory true, as far as the
open polar sea is concerned, by actual measurement, as sixty-
nine miles make one degree.
The vessel dropped back to 81° 38', where an iceberg was
found fast on the bottom near the shore, and she was placed
between it and the land so she could be protected on two sides
from storms.
After some days Captain Hall and Mr. Chester started on a
sled ride northward, to be gone two weeks, but did not go fur-
ther than fifty miles when they came to an open sea, the waters
of which were filled with shrimps, with numerous seals bobbing
up their heads. Two of the latter were shot.
Captain Hall remained there two days, looking northward,
and said he could see land and open water for seventy miles, or
up to 83° 5', and he saw a dark, nimbus cloud in that direction
that certainly indicated that beneath it was the open polar sea.
While there he wrote his last dispatch to the Secretary of the
Navy, in which he says, "I find this a much warmer country
than I expected, and it abounds with life, and seals, game, geese,
ducks, musk-cattle, deer, foxes, wolves, rabbits, partridges,
lemmings, etc., with snipe, plover, and all kinds of wading
birds."
Does not all this go far to prove the correctness of the
Symmes theory, for it is in exact accordance with what is laid
down in it?
He further says: "I have made a copy of this dispatch and
placed it in a copper cylinder and buried it beneath a pile of
It is written with ink. I must now start on my return,
as I was only to be absent two weeks." He got back on time,
stone.
CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
63
and when his men saw him coming they all went out to meet
him. They shook hands with him, and asked how was his
health. He told them it was good, and that he had had a nice
trip. He then turned to Captain Buddington and told him he
was going again, but would state no time for his return, as he
intended to go on until he found people, and if he found any he
imagined they would be giants, as this was such a life-giving
atmosphere to breathe. "You must stay here until I come
back." He then turned to Captain Tyson and said: “I want
you to go with me." Then turning to his carpenter he said,
"I want you to make me four wheels and an axle-tree, so that
when I reach the warm country I can use the wagon instead of
the sleds." All this conversation took place before he went
to his room on board the ship, where Captain Buddington and
Dr Bissels followed him. While in his room he asked for a
cup of coffee, which was given him, and in less than one hour
he was taken sick. Every symptom indicated that poison had
been put in the coffee. After a few days of suffering he ex-
pired, and he was the only person of the whole ship's crew that
was sick a day.
After he died Buddington went among the crew and said,
"I have a big stone taken off my heart." When asked what he
meant, he replied, "Captain Hall is dead, and now we will all
go home." And every one of them did get home safe.
It
This Buddington was a drunken old sea captain, that had
been breaking all the fastenings that Captain Hall could put on
the doors where the liquor was kept, and was often drunk.
was proven in Washington, after their return, that Buddington's
heart was not in the expedition, and he wanted to return home,
while Captain Hall was determined to go further north, so, to
get him out of the way, poison was doubtless administered
him, as any physician will say when he reads the character of
the symptoms as shown by Hall immediately after the drink-
ing of the coffee.
He told Mr. Chester and Mr. Morton, both of whom nursed
him in his sickness, that he was poisoned.
After Captain Hall's death nothing was done until the re-
turn of spring, when they all started home, and brought to
64
THE THEORY OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES.
Washington many kinds of grass, flowers, fresh water alga,
and garnets of a large size. They also brought many kinds of
birds, butterflies, catterpillars, bugs, beetles, spiders, etc., with
many smaller insects, all of which they gathered in the extreme
north.
Does that look like the Newtonian theory was the true one?
Could such animal life exist amongst cold and ice, and in a coun-
try containing an area of 1,131,000 square miles, where Jack
Frost is said to hold high carnival throughout the whole year?
All the explorations in the north by Parry, Ross, Kane, and
Hall certainly go further to prove the Symmes theory true than
it does the Newtonian.
LIGHT AND HEAT.
J
The most common objection to this theory is, that, if it were
true, the sun could not possibly light and warm the interior of
the world. This is easily answered. The rays of light come
parallel from the sun to the earth, and, if he were no larger than
the earth, they would fall at least twelve degrees upon the con-
cave interior surface, as they passed over the lower part of the
verge both north and south. But the earth in her annual revo-
lution, owing to the inclination of the poles to the plane of her
orbit, alternately permits the incident rays to fall much more.
than twelve degrees upon the interior surface. This inclination
is 23° 30', which, added to 12°, the angularity of the verges,
gives 35° 30' of the concave surface upon which the direct inci-
dent rays of the sun fall. But these rays, passing over the
dense, cold air of the verges, are refracted many degrees, prob-
ably at least ten or fifteen degrees, so that by one refraction
and one or two reflections the rays of light would be thrown
out over the verge opposite to that through which they en-
tered; and because those rays would converge upon the con-
cave surface instead of diverging, they would produce abundant
light and heat throughout the whole interior. As compared
with moonlight, the sun's rays, reflected from one interior sur-
face to the other, would be as much more intense as the square
of the diameter of the inner world is less than the square of the
distance of the moon from the earth. According to this law,
assuming the diameter of the interior to average 4,000 miles,
and the moon's distance 240,000 miles, the light of the interior
would be equal to 3,600 moons as large as our sun, and this
too without considering the greater intensity of the interior
light upon a concave surface over that of the moonlight re-
flected from and falling upon convex surfaces. These views,
which are in accordance with the known laws of light, show
that this popular objection has not the slightest force.
66
LIGHT AND HEAT.
Since this theory was promulgated by its author, enough has
come to light to prove that he was correct in his views of the
existence of a warmer climate at the north, and of an open polar
sea. And it is believed that, if his theory had been fully made
public long ago, much hardship, suffering, and expense would
or might have been avoided in the futile attempts to find a pas-
sage through the bleak and desolate regions around Baffin's
Bay. That Behring's Straits offer the best route into the arctic
regions admits of little or no doubt, and an expedition for this
purpose from the Pacific coast is well worth the consideration
of the government.
Time, the great revealer of secrets, will soon determine
whether this startling theory is true, in whole or in part, and
whether its author was a visionary enthusiast, or a profound
philosopher whose name will be honored among men, like that
of Franklin or Newton, as a benefactor of his race, and an
honor to the country which gave him birth.
་

K.