All space may rationally be regarded as complete vacuum, thus presenting no resistance nor obstacles to the free progress of the retro-acting elements. Distance is then virtually annihilated, and Mercury, 37,000,000 of miles from the sun, and Neptune, 2,800,000,000 of miles, stand alike in their relations with the great central orb.
The Earth's part in the Process.
The earth may no longer be regarded as having a merely passive part to play. The forces in operation as between the earth and sun, are purely co-operative, and the one precisely counterbalances the other. The earth, therefore, must have a vis viva within itself, capable of reciprocating in the organic functions of the great vito-magnetic circuit. We certainly know that it possesses a marvellous wealth of resources. The following are the most important of its sources of vis viva.
1st. The great reservoir of vito-magnetic fluid, the vast incandescent earth-core. The presence and activity therein of mighty force,—of heat, and motion, in the highest degree, are abundantly shown by various terrestrial phenomena. These phenomena, while perfectly familiar to observers, seem never to have received any fitting interpretation.
2d. Motions and frictions of every kind;[C] the motions of the waters of the earth, the great oceans, with their rolling tides sweeping the whole circumference of the earth twice in twenty-four hours, at a speed of one thousand miles per hour; with its frictions upon itself, the bottom, and the shores; its great storms lashing it into fury, and its gentler motions from lesser winds; also the motions of all seas, rivers, and rain-falls.
3d. So all motions of the air, in form of hurricanes, lesser winds, or zephyrs; tearing their way through forests, and hills, and through space; or causing gentlest flutter of leaflet. We have witnessed their goings forth, but have neglected to calculate their mission.
4th. All chemical actions.
5th. All combustions.
6th. All evaporations.