Its tangible const.i.tuents, such as clouds, vapors, gases, are well understood; as well as the modifying influence of those atmospheric elements upon what we call sunlight, and sun-heat. But the intangible and vital principle, or basis of the atmosphere, has in a measure escaped recognition. This principle is vito-magnetic in its character, and may be designated as _static_,[12] from its habit when in equilibrium, and also in contradistinction from that vast flood of _active_ fluid which fills the solar cone-s.p.a.ce.

_Extent and Character of this Influence._

The whole globe and its surrounding atmosphere are vast reservoirs of this static fluid. These, interacting freely through continuity, virtually become one in their operations. As a const.i.tuent of the atmosphere this fluid is nearly uniform in its proportions. Its varying conditions, as positive, negative, and neutral, form a marked peculiarity. Changes from one to another of these conditions, over larger or smaller areas, are affected with marvellous rapidity, and with varying and sometimes with striking results.

In the extremes of atmospheric temperature, this fluid is found to exist in the extremes of its positive and negative conditions. The contrast is by some supposed to exist in the seasons of winter and summer, in proportions as 13 to 1, (heretofore regarded as quant.i.tive).

_Note the Functions of this Ocean._

This fluid is indeed _the vital principle_, upon which _all life_, animate and inanimate, depends. The necessity for frequent respirations is occasioned by the imperative demands of the system for this agent. As before intimated, the mild and steady light which illumines the earth in its day-season is owing to the action of the _active_ fluid of the cone-s.p.a.ce upon the _static_ fluid of the atmosphere. The untempered force of the former might not be endured. The pale and steady light of the moon and planets is due to a like reaction through the same agencies.

The relations which the present known const.i.tuents of the atmosphere sustain to this fluid may not at the present time be estimated.

_Not yet fully Comprehended._

"Air," said SIR LYON PLAYFAIR, "is the most familiar of substances; the first with which an infant becomes acquainted on entrance into the world, and in death, the last to be given up; yet, strange to say, its nature and const.i.tution have only become partially understood within the past century, and even now scientific knowledge can only be regarded as on the threshold of the subject."

The novelty and the a.s.surance of the concluding lines of the above quotation would, at a comparatively recent date, have excited in the reader a great astonishment. We had supposed that the const.i.tuents, and the functions of our atmosphere were very well understood, that little, if anything, could be learned by further investigation. Yet the revelations which are now being made show the a.s.sertion of SIR LYON PLAYFAIR to be almost prophetic.

The vito-magnetic, the most important ingredient, has scarcely been referred to in any formula of its const.i.tution. This const.i.tuent as previously stated, forms the bulk of the atmosphere, and upon _it_ depends the princ.i.p.al performance of its varied functions. More vital than oxygen, without it life could not be sustained for an hour.

_Have we been Mistaken?_

The experiments of M. PASTEUR have demonstrated that oxygen and light are not essentials of life, as he developed life in the dark, in an atmosphere of carbonic acid.

_New Light._

More recent discoveries verify the presence of this comparatively unappreciated const.i.tuent.

The process of induction has ever been a great mystery in electrical science. Magnetic currents are known to act upon bodies in close proximity without the intervention of a spark, and to indue such bodies with magnetic force. This action, called induction, has been supposed to be limited to short distances. This we believe to be erroneous. In order that the inductive process take place, it is only necessary to suppose some impulse to be superinduced upon some pervading medium. This medium we recognize in the static vito-magnetic const.i.tuent of the atmosphere.

Magnetic or electrical induction is therefore nature's effort towards an equilibrium. Newly-discovered phenomena show that this process is carried on even at considerable distances. To Prof. LOOMIS of New Haven, Conn., we are indebted for experiments which ill.u.s.trate this fact. These experiments show that magnetic communications may be made through ten miles of s.p.a.ce without the intervention of visible means of conduction.

The employment of wires is rendered unnecessary by reason of the presence of the vito-magnetic fluid which operates in restoring the disturbed equilibrium. Magnetic _currents_ are therefore not essential to this phenomenon.

A wonderful exhibition of this power was recently observed at Rochester, N. Y. In a telephonic exhibition in this city, the musicians were located in Buffalo, sixty-eight miles distant. While PROF. JOHNSON was engaged in preparatory practice during the afternoon, the notes from Buffalo were distinctly heard at the same time, in a city business office, at some distance from the hall of exhibition. Yet the wire used by the Professor, and that employed in the private telephone, were at no point less than ten feet apart. The same phenomenon was observed during the progress of the exhibition in another locality, the two lines still being no nearer than ten feet to each other.

_The Character and Virtue of this Element may not be Mistaken._

It is this vito-magnetic element, and not some other ingredient, that renders the atmosphere so sympathetic, and responsive, to the governing Force resident in the sun, and in the earth-core. The atmosphere thus not only furnishes the field of operation for the manifold Force, co-operating between the sun and earth, but is itself the medium and instrument of the operations.

The vito-magnetic power under its Protean forms, styled "Vital Forces,"

and "The Physical Forces," works in the atmosphere and is the source of nearly all its phenomena. It causes and directs movements in every province of nature. Nothing else has so intimate relations with animal and vegetable life and growth. It may be considered as const.i.tuting the inherent _virtue_ of the atmosphere.

Among the varying manifestations in which this agent is disclosed to us, within and beyond the atmosphere, may be enumerated the following, viz.: 1, Linear lightning; 2, Ball lightning; 3, The flash with reverberations; 4, Heat lightning; 5, Aurora; 6, Frictional or mechanical; 7, Magnetic; 8, Vital; 9, St. Elmo's Fires; 10, The exaggerated wave which bears destruction in its pathway; 11, That disclosed by rain, hail, snow, and fog; 12, Sunlight, and sun-heat; 13, Static, or atmospheric; 14, Zodiacal light; 15, Corona, etc., etc.

FOOTNOTES:

[12] Appendix, p. 104.

CHAPTER IX.

WINDS.

_Entertained theories Erroneous._

The mere mechanical theory which regards the atmosphere as a loose mixture of gaseous materials, and the winds as mere mechanical disturbances within it, misses its real intimate nature and is insufficient. But once conceive the atmosphere as arranged like a perfectly adjusted instrument for the meeting-place and co-operation of sun-force, and earth-force, where are elaborated all the benefits designed for our mundane creation, and we begin to look for better explanations.

_Their true Character._

What we call the wind is mediately the air moving but causatively, and immediately, and more profoundly, it is the action of the vito-magnetic fluid. _It is therefore a purely magnetic phenomenon. In the interplay of that subtle, all-pervasive fluid, is found the key to the theory of the winds._ Hurricanes, cyclones, tornadoes, zephyrs, etc., are manifestations of its operations. These phenomena imply the existence of a force at times stupendous, and at times so gentle as simply to move a leaflet.

This power in full magnitude may spring instantaneously into action; and it may, too, as instantaneously cease. It may suddenly drive a body of air at the rate of one hundred miles per hour, and as suddenly arrest its progress. The air having no inherent propulsive powers, that originate and control its directions, velocities, and varied forms of movement, is yet subject to definite laws. What these laws are has never been divulged.--"The wind bloweth where it listeth." Yet in viewing earth and atmosphere as vast reservoirs of vito-magnetic fluid, shifting back and forth to maintain an equilibrium, we believe we see the workings of the very force which moves and sways the atmosphere; which causes its currents, both general and special; and which gives rise to all its more extraordinary and unaccountable phenomena.

_What gives rise to the Currents._

The changes in the magnetism of the earth and atmosphere give rise to these currents. They are developed in various forms. The following may be mentioned as the most important.

1st. The general and widespread perturbations, occurring within the body of the earth, and implicating immense areas, even whole continents.

2d. The interruptions of continuity of the _solar currents_ as in the phenomena called sun-spots. These changes, to whatever cause due, are capable of disturbing the terrestrial magnetic equilibrium over varying areas, and of working instantaneously.

3d. The effects of the interruptions of the sun's rays through the medium of clouds.

4th. Purely local vito-magnetic, or electrical, actions occupying smaller or larger areas.[13]

That the origination, suspension, and continuation of these movements, in all their forms are due to purely vito-magnetic force, we think demonstrable. Thus, no other can act so instantaneously, none with such varied exhibitions of power, and none so widespread in their development.

In the movement of a body of air, the s.p.a.ce previously occupied by that body must be resupplied by another of equal volume. This resupply may not necessarily be derived from the circ.u.mambient atmosphere as heretofore supposed. In some instances the resupply is derived _in but slight degree_ from that source, but rather from that great reservoir, the earth; as in the instances of whirlwinds and tornadoes.

_Philosophical Considerations drawn from Observation._

FLAMMARIAN says:--"We know that a whirlwind is a column of air which turns upon its own axis, and which advances comparatively slowly, for, as a rule, a person can keep up with it at a walking pace. This whirling column of air is both caused and set in motion by electricity."

If whirlwinds are caused and set in motion by electricity, why may not all other forms of wind be productions of the same force? PELTIER has established both by numerous facts and by a series of ingenious experiments, that the waterspouts of the land and sea are electrical phenomena.

This had been suspected by BECCARIA a hundred years before.