9. Volcanoes and geysers were formerly supposed to settle the question in favor of the old theory. The phenomena of both are such as to strongly argue against it. Most geysers are known to be caused by chemical action of rock. We instance those in Hot Spring Valley, Cal., near Lassen Buttes. No one, having noticed the various colored mud-pots and mounds of pulpy rock thrown up by these boiling cauldrons, can come to any other conclusion. A few geysers may be exceptions, having been caused by water trickling over heated rock in proximity to volcanoes. These prove nothing as to the center of the earth, until it can be established that this body of lava is in the center of the earth. A multitude of facts in connection with volcanic action demonstrate that lava does not proceed from a common center. A few we will here give. (1.) Lava varies in color according to the color of the stratified rock found in the vicinity. Thus, between Reno and Wadsworth, Nevada, may be seen a red ledge of sedimentary rock. Close by are found quantities of red lava, being the same shade of red found in the sedimentary. Pieces of rock may be seen, one side showing the sedimentary strata, and the other partially melted. Lava everywhere, probably, is only sedimentary rock melted. (2.) Volcanic disturbances are local, which they could not be if they proceeded from a common center. (3.) The existence of great quantities of ashes, so light as to float on the surface of water, argues the consumption of some burning material, as of coal. Nothing of this would exist in matter that had primarily been collected in liquid, and had ever been in a fused state. Something must have been burning to produce the ashes. (4.) The fact of all the great upheavals of plateaus and mountains having been this side the Carboniferous system of deposit, where the burning material, sufficient to produce volcanic effect, was extracted from the air and laid down as rock, argues in favor of a power much nearer than force, generated from a primeval sea of lava. Burning coal as a source of heat, and steam as a power, are ample to account for every volcanic disturbance, however it may have been modified by electric forces. 10. Most geologists are dissatisfied with the fire theory, and are looking about for a revolution in the teaching of the science. Professor Norton said, “We are upon the eve of a perfect revolution in the science of geology.” Agassiz said, “The Plutonic theory loses ground as soon as brought to scientific tests.” Again he uttered with decided emphasis, “If the center of our earth were molten lava, as hot as represented, a crust of rock fifty miles thick would melt, and, in the space of a few hours, fall into the great sea.”