Symmes's Theory of Concentric Spheres: Demonstrating that the Earth is hollow, habitable within, and widely open about the polesMcBride, James
Science
Symmes's Theory of Concentric Spheres: Demonstrating that the Earth is hollow, habitable within, and widely open about the poles
McBride, James
Earth (Planet) -- Miscellanea; Symmes, John Cleves, 1780-1829
In regard to the _effects_ of gravity, he pretends not to differ from
the generally received opinion of the age; but the _application_ of
them, as to the inner parts of insulated bodies, has enabled him to
_improve_ in a knowledge of the formation of planets; and finally led
him to form a correct idea of what _constitutes_ gravity.
The author of the new theory entertains a belief that the principles
of planetary orbicular forms, developed by him, extend as well to the
molecules of the most subtile fluids, as to the innumerable stars or
suns of the universe, and all their planetary trains: he contends that
though he may not have discovered any new principles in physics, yet
that he has made interesting advances in a knowledge of the application
of what was heretofore known.
According to him, the planet which has been designated the Earth,
is composed of at least five hollow concentric spheres, with spaces
between each, an atmosphere surrounding each; and habitable as well
upon the concave as the convex surface. Each of these spheres are
widely open at their poles. The north polar opening of the sphere we
inhabit, is believed to be about four thousand miles in diameter, and
the southern above six thousand.[1] The planes of these polar openings
are inclined to the plane of the ecliptic at an angle of about twenty
degrees; so that the real axis of the earth, being perpendicular to the
plane of the equator, will form an angle of twelve degrees with a line
passing through the sphere at right angles with the plane of the polar
openings; consequently the verge of the polar openings must approach
several degrees nearer to the equator on one side than on the other.
The highest north point, or where the distance is greatest from the
equator to the verge of the opening in the northern hemisphere, will
be found either in the northern sea, near the coast of Lapland, on a
meridian passing through Spitsbergen, in about latitude sixty-eight
degrees, or somewhat more eastwardly in Lapland; and the verge would
become _apparent_, to the navigator proceeding north, in about latitude
ninety degrees.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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