SUMMARY. Translator's Preface. Author's Preface. VOL. I. GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE CONTENTS. Introduction.-Reflections on the different degrees of enjoyment presented to us by the aspect of nature, and the scientific exposition of the laws of the universe pp. 1-61. Insight into the connection of phenomena as the aim of all natural investigation. Nature presents itself to meditative contemplation as a unity in diversity. Differences in the grades of enjoyment yielded by nature. Effect of contact with free nature; enjoyment derived from nature independently of a knowledge of the action of natural forces, or of the effect produced by the individual character of a locality. Effect of the physiognomy and configuration of the surface, or of the character of vegetation. Reminiscences of the woody valleys of the Cordilleras, and of the Peak of Teneriffe. Advantages of the mountainous region near the equator, where the multiplicity of natural impressions attains its maximum within the most circumscribed limits, and where it is permitted to man simultaneously to behold all the stars of the firmament, and all the forms of vegetation-pp. 1-12. Tendency towards the investigation of the causes of physical phenomena. Erroneous views of the character of natural forces arising from an imperfect mode of observation or of induction. The crude accumulation of physical dogmas transmitted from one century to another. Their diffusion amongst the higher classes. Scientific physics are associated with another and a deep-rooted system of untried and misunderstood experimental positions. Investigation of natural laws. Apprehension that nature may lose a portion of its secret charm by an inquiry into the internal character of its forces, and that the enjoyment of nature must necessarily be weakened by a study of its domain. Advantages of general views which impart an exalted and solemn character to natural science. The possibility of separating generalities from specialities. Examples drawn from astronomy, recent optical discoveries, physical geognosy, and the geography of plants. Practicability of the study of physical cosmography-pp. 12-35. Misunderstood popular knowledge, confounding cosmography with a mere encyclopædic enumeration of natural sciences. Necessity for a simultaneous regard for all branches of natural science. Influence of this study on national prosperity and the welfare of nations; its more earnest and characteristic aim is an inner one, arising from exalted mental activity. Mode of treatment with regard to the object and presentation; reciprocal cor nection existing between thought and speech-p. 36. The notes to pp. 6-12. Comparative hypsometrical data of the elevations of the Dhawalagiri, Jawahir, Chimborazo, Etna, (according to the measurement of Sir John Herschel), the Swiss Alps, &c.-p. 6. Rarity of palms and ferns in the Himalaya mountains-p. 8. European vegetable forms in the Indian mountains-p. 8. Northern and southern limits of perpetual snow on the Himalaya; influence of the elevated plateau of Thibet-pp. 9-12. Fishes of an earlier world—p. 26. Limits and Method of Exposition of the Physical Description of the Universe pp. 37-61. Subjects embraced by the study of the Cosmos or of physical cosmography. Separation of other kindred studies-pp. 37-44. The uranological portion of the Cosmos is more simple than the telluric; the impossibility of ascertaining the diversity of matter simplifies the study of the mechanism of the heavens. Origin of the word Cosmos, its signification of adornment and order of the universe. The existing cannot be absolutely separated in our contemplation of nature from the future. History of the world and description of the world-pp. 44-56. Attempts to embrace the multiplicity of the phenomena of the Cosmos in the unity of thought and under the form of a purely rational combination. Natural philosophy which preceded all exact observation in antiquity is a natural, but not unfreqnently ill-directed, effort of reason. Two forms of abstraction rule the whole mass of knowledge, viz., the quantitative, relative determinations according to number and magnitude, and qualitative, material characters. Means of submitting pheno mena to calculation. Atoms, mechanical methods of construction. Figurative representations; mythical conception of imponderable matters, and the peculiar vital forces in every organism. That which is attained by observation and experiment (calling forth phenomena) leads by analogy and induction to a knowledge of empirical laws; their gradual simplification and generalisation. Arrangement of the facts discovered in accordance with leading ideas. The treasure of empirical contemplation collected through ages, is in no danger of experiencing any hostile agency from philosophy-pp. 56-61. [In the notes appended to pp. 48-53, are considerations of the general and comparative geography of Varenius. Philological investigation into the meaning of the words Kooμos and mundus.] Delineation of Nature. General Review of Natural Phenomena pp. 62-369. Introduction-pp. 62-67. A descriptive delineation of the world embraces the whole universe (Tò πav) in the celestial and terrestrial spheres. Form and course of the representation. It begins with the depths of space, of which we know little beyond the existence of laws of gravitation, and with the region of the remotest nebulous spots and double stars, and then gradually descending through the starry stratum to which our solar system belongs, it contemplates this terrestrial spheroid, surrounded by air and water, and finally, proceeds to the consideration of the form of our planet, its temperature, and magnetic tension, and the fulness of organic vitality which is unfolded on its surface under the action of light. Partial insight into the relative dependence existing amongst all phenomena. Amid all the mobile and unstable elements in space, mean numerical values are the ultimate aim of investigation, being the expression of the physical laws, or forces of the Cosmos. The delineation of the universe does not begin with the earth, from which a merely subjective point of view might have led us to start, but rather with the objects comprised in the regions of space. Distribution of matter, which is partially conglomerated into rotating and circling heavenly bodies of very different density and magnitude, and partly scattered as self-luminous vapour. Review of the separate portions of the picture of nature for the purpose of explaining the reciprocal connection of all phenomena. I. Celestial portion of the Cosmos II. Terrestrial portion of the Cosmos. pp. 67-145. pp. 145-369. a. Form of the earth, its mean density, quantity of heat, electromagnetic activity, process of light-pp. 145-197. b. Vital activity of the earth towards its external surface. Re-action of the interior of a planet on its crust and surface. Subterranean noise without waves of concussion. Earthquakes dynamic phenomena— pp. 197-213. c. Material products which frequently accompany earthquakes. Gaseous and aqueous springs. Salses and mud-volcanoes. Upheavals of the soil by elastic forces-pp. 213-226. d. Fire-emitting mountains. Craters of elevation. Distribution of volcanoes on the earth-pp. 226-245. e. Volcanic forces form new kinds of rock, and metamorphose those already existing. Geognostical classification of rocks into four groups. Phenomena of contact. Fossiliferous strata; their vertical arrangement. The faunas and floras of an earlier world. Distribution of masses of rock-pp. 245-288. f. Geognostical epochs which are indicated by the mineralogical dif ference of rocks have determined the distribution of solids and fluids into continents and seas. Individual configuration of solids into horizontal expansion and vertical elevation. Relations of area. Articulation. Probability of the continued elevation of the earth's crust in ridges-pp. 288-306. g. Liquid and aeriform envelopes of the solid surface of our planet. Distribution of heat in both. The sea. The tides. Currents and their effects-pp. 306–316. h. The atmosphere. Its chemical composition. Fluctuations in its density. Law of the direction of the winds. Mean temperature. Enumeration of the causes which tend to raise and lower the temperature. VOL. I. C Continental and insular climates. East and west coasts. Cause of the curvature of the isothermal lines. Limits of perpetual snow. Quantity of vapour. Electricity in the atmosphere. Forms of the cloudspp. 316-347. i. Separation of inorganic terrestrial life from the geography of vital organisms; the geography of vegetables and animals. Physical gradations of the human race-(pp. 347-369). Special Analysis of the Delineation of Nature, including references to the subjects treated of in the Notes. I. Celestial portion of the Cosmos pp. 67-145 The universe and all that it comprises-multiform nebulous spots, planetary vapour, and nebulous stars. The picturesque charm of a southern sky-(note pp. 68-9). Conjectures on the position in space of the world. Our stellar masses. A cosmical island. Gauging stars. Double stars revolving round a common centre. Distance of the star 61 Cygni(p. 72 and note). Our solar system more complicated than was conjectured at the close of the last century. Primary planets with Neptune, Astrea, Hebe, Iris, and Flora, now constitute 16; secondary planets 18; myriads of comets, of which many of the inner ones are enclosed in the orbits of the planets; a rotating ring (the zodiacal light) and meteoric stones, probably to be regarded as small cosmical bodies. The telescopic planets, Vesta, Juno, Ceres, Pallas, Astrea, Hebe, Iris, and Flora, with their frequently intersecting, strongly inclined, and more eccentric orbits, constitute a central group of separation between the inner planetary group (Mercury, Venus, the Earth, and Mars), and the outer group (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune). Contrasts of these planetary groups. Relations of distance from one central body. Differences of absolute magnitude, density, period of revolution, eccentricity and inclination of the orbits. The so-called law of the distances of the planets from their central sun. The planets which have the largest number of moons-(p. 80 and note). Relations in space both absolute and relative of the secondary planets. Largest and smallest of the moons. Greatest approximation to a primary planet. Retrogressive movement of the moons of Uranus. Libration of the Earth's satellite-(p. 83 and note). Comets; the nucleus and tail; various forms and directions of the emanations in conoidal envelopes with more or less dense walls. Several tails inclined towards the sun; change of form of the tail; its conjectured rotation. Nature of light. Occultations of the fixed stars by the nuclei of comets. Eccentricity of their orbits and periods of revolution. Greatest distance and greatest approximation of comets. Passage through the system of Jupiter's satellites. Comets of short periods of revolution, more correctly termed inner comets (Enke, Biela, Faye)-(p. 94 and note.) Revolving aerolites (meteoric stones, fire balls, falling stars). Their planetary velocity, magnitude, form, observed height. Periodic return in streams; the November stream and the stream of St. Lawrence. Chemical composition of meteoric asteroids-(p. 117 and note). Ring of zodiacal light. Limitation of the present solar atmosphere--(p. 130 and note). Translatory motion of the whole solar system-(pp. 135-139 and note). The existence of the law of gravitation beyond our solar system. The milky way of stars and its conjectured breaking up. Milky way of nebulous spots, at right angles with that of the stars. Periods of revolutions of bi-coloured double stars. Canopy of stars; openings in the stellar stratum. Events in the universe; the apparition of new stars. Propagation of light, the aspect of the starry vault of the heavens conveys to the mind an idea of inequality of time-(pp.139-145 and notes). II. Terrestrial portion of the Cosmos pp 145-369 a. Figure of the earth. Density, quantity of heat, electro-magnetic tension, and terrestrial light-(pp. 145-197 and note). Knowledge of the compression and curvature of the earth's surface acquired by measurements of degrees, pendulum oscillations and certain inequalities in the moon's orbit. Mean density of the earth. The earth's crust, and the depth to which we are able to penetrate-(p. 151 note). Three-fold movement of the heat of the earth; its thermic condition. Law of the increase of heat with the increase of depth-(p. 152 and note). Magnetism electricity in motion. Periodical variation of terrestrial magnetism. Disturbance of the regular course of the magnetic needle. Magnetic storms; extension of their action. Manifestations of magnetic force on the earth's surface presented under three classes of phenomena; viz.: lines of equal force (isodynamic); equal inclination (isoclinic); and equal deviation (isogonic). Position of the magnetic pole. Its probable connection with the poles of cold. Change of all the magnetic phenomena of the earth. Erection of magnetic observatories since 1828; a far-extending net-work of magnetic stations(p. 184 and note). Development of light at the magnetic poles; terrestrial light as a consequence of the electro-magnetic activity of our planet. Elevation of polar light. Whether magnetic storms are accompanied by noise? Connection of polar light (an electro-magnetic development of light) with the formation of cirrus clouds. Other examples of the generation of terrestrial light-(p. 197 and note). b. The vital activity of a planet manifested from within outward, the principal source of geognostic phenomena. Connection between merely dynamic concussions or the upheaval of whole portions of the earth's crust, accompanied by the effusion of matter, and the gene ration of gaseous and liquid fluids, of hot mud and fused earths, which solidify into rocks. Volcanic action in the most general conception of the idea, is the reaction of the interior of a planet on its outer surface. Earthquakes. Extent of the circles of commotion and their gradual increase. Whether there exists any connection between the changes in terrestrial magnetism and the processes of the atmosphere. Noises, subterranean thunder without any perceptible concussion. The rocks which modify the propagation of the waves of concussion. Upheavals; eruption of water, hot steam, mud mofettes, smoke and flame during an earthquake-(pp. 197-214 and notes). c. Closer consideration of materia products as a consequence of |