The Vailan or annular theory: A synopsis of Prof. I. N. Vail's argument in support of the claim that this Earth once possessed a Saturn-like system of rings

by Stephen Bowers

FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE RECORD.

The vapors contained silex, quartz and whatever else was vaporized and suspended therein. After the atmosphere had cooled it deposited on the earth what it contained when heated. Much of the sedimentary beds built upon the Laurentian and older rocks were simply precipitated from the annular system.

Iron and sulphur existed in the upper ocean as metallic and mineral salts. In the cooling process the heavier minerals and metals would necessarily locate nearest the earth and be the first to fall. True they were disseminated to a certain extent throughout the system.

Iron and other heavy metals formed beds in the sea bottom. Iron from Iron Mountain, Mo., and Pilot Knob, also lead and copper ores are in the Laurentian rocks. These rocks are aqueous or sedimentary. The annular matter fell but in small part in equatorial regions, but largely in temperate and frigid zones.

It is folly to suppose that all the matter of aqueous beds were deposited from previous aqueous beds by denudation. How were subsequent lime deposits made from silicious Archaean beds? Denudation has taken place in all ages, and a fall and precipitation of exotic matter—tellurio-cosmic matter—aided in the work.