This electronic edition prepared by Dr. David C. Bossard
from original documents in his personal library

December, 2009.

Copyright © 2009 by David C. Bossard.

Objects of physical science -- divisions of science -- influence of theory -- personal advantages derived from science -- proofs of design -- knowledge raises the standard of happiness -- pleasures of investigation-harmony of natural agents -- application of science to the arts -- effects of scientific knowledge -- origin of the physical sciences -- importance of the mathematics -- education.

The form and dimensions of the earth -- revolution of the earth on its axis -- theory of the formation of the earth -- centrifugal force -- the pendulum -- the fixed stars -- the planets -- force of gravity -- curvilinear motion -- magnitude and distance of the planets -- day and night.

Comets -- origin of astrology -- nebu1ae -- phases of the moon -- eclipses

Proofs of the existence of an atmosphere -- composition of air -- properties of the atmosphere -- transparency -- fluidity -- balloons -- expansibility of air -- pressure of the atmosphere -- barometers -- extent of the atmosphere -- air as a conductor of sound -- echoes -- wind

Nature of heat -- dilatation by heat -- thermometers -- latent heat --  evaporation --  hygrometers -- clouds -- classification of clouds -- rain -- snow -- hail -- dew -- hoar-frost -- mist -- connexion of the sciences of heat and meteorology

Production of light -- nature of light -- general facts -- -reflection  -- refraction -- twilight -- mirage  -- decomposition of
light by refraction -- decomposition of light by absorption -- colour of bodies -- colour of the clouds -- rainbow-- halo -- coronae -- parhelia -- the study of the science of optics

Identity of electricity and the agent that produces lightning -- effects of lightning -- circumstances under which lightning is produced -- thunder-clouds -- lightning-conductors -- electrical condition of the atmosphere -- aurora borealis -- St. Elmo's light

The loadstone -- magnetic attraction -- magnetic induction  -- polarity and induction --  variation of the magnetic needle -- annual change of the variation -- diurnal change of the variation -- the dip -- origin of terrestrial magnetism

Geological theories -- the crust of the earth -- general remarks -- the order of rocks -- stratification of rocks --  cleavage of rocks -- disturbed strata --  -- elevation or depression of strata --  classification of stratified rocks -- unstratified rocks  -- granitic rocks  -- trap -- rocks -- granitic and trap veins -- metallic veins -- coal measures -- organic remains -- reptiles -- fossilized remains of maminalia -- diluvian action -- superficial gravels -- boulders -- bone caverns -- formation of valleys -- temperature of the interior of the earth -- volcanoes  -- active volcanoes  -- phenomena resulting from volcanic activity -- volcanic islands -- earthquakes -- thermal springs  -- theories of volcanic action -- general remarks

Formation of land -- definitions -- continents -- mountains -- elevation of mountains -- M. de Beaumont's theory -- caverns -- springs -- glaciers -- rivers -- cascades and cateracts -- lakes -- the sea-level of the sea -- colour of the ocean -- phosphorescence of the sea -- temperature of the sea -- marine ice -- icebergs -- water-spouts -- waves  -- tides -- currents --  chymical composition of substances -- elementary substances -- cohesion --  crystallization -- chymical attraction -- composition of water

The seasons -- mean temperature -- temperature of the sea -- climate -- temperature of the ancient earth -- conclusion