[2] A tolerably correct representation of the sphere might be made by taking a hollow terrestrial globe, such as are used in colleges, and insert a saw at north latitude sixty-eight degrees in Lapland, sawing obliquely through, so as to come out at latitude fifty degrees in the Pacific ocean. The aperture thus produced, will show the general dimensions and slope of the north polar opening. And in the southern hemisphere, commencing with the saw at south latitude thirty four degrees, in longitude between fifty and fifty-five degrees east, in the Indian ocean, and sawing obliquely through, in the same manner, so as to come out at south latitude forty-six degrees, and longitude one hundred and thirty degrees west, in the South Pacific ocean, you will represent the appearance of the south polar opening; and the whole will exhibit a general representation of the sphere, according to the new theory. CHAPTER III. _Symmes's Theory supported by arguments drawn from the principles inherent in matter, and the consequences resulting from motion; tending to show that, from necessity, matter must form itself into concentric circles or spheres, such as Symmes describes the earth to be composed of._ It is a principle laid down by Sir Isaac Newton, the correctness of which is generally admitted, that "matter attracts matter in proportion to its quantity and the squares of its distances inversely." Captain Symmes contends that gravity consists in a certain expansive quality in the molecules which constitute the aerial fluid called æther, which fills universal space, and creates a pushing, instead of a pulling power. However, let either be correct, I conceive it cannot materially affect the principles necessary to constitute concentric spheres: either principle, I apprehend, would lead us nearly to the same results. When matter was in chaos, or in a form not solid, promiscuously disseminated through universal space, suppose it then should at once receive the impression of those universal laws by which it is governed, and see what would be the consequence. According to Sir Isaac Newton's principles of gravity, the particle of matter that happened to be the largest would attract the smaller in its neighbourhood, which would increase the power of attraction in proportion to the increase of matter, until all in the universe would be collected into one vast body in the centre of space, and there remain motionless and at rest forever. This, however, we find not to be the case; for innumerable bodies of matter, differing in magnitude, are known to exist throughout the universe, arranged at suitable distances from each other, and performing certain revolutions in obedience to certain fixed laws impressed on them.