Arguments in support of Symmes's Theory, drawn from celestial appearances.

That a disposition to hollow cylinders does exist in nature, I think, must be admitted; and that a similar principle exists in the planetary system, at least in some degree, appears to me as certain. Every person has seen or heard of Saturn and his rings. At certain periods of time the appearance of this planet, viewed through a good telescope, represents him to be surrounded with two luminous rings or bodies of matter, concentric with each other, and with the body of the planet. These rings no where adhere to the body of the planet, but are distinct and separate, some considerable distance from him, and from each other, leaving a portion of vacant space between the planet and the rings, through which we see the fixed stars beyond.[4] It is a fact, I believe, admitted by all, and of which we have positive ocular demonstration, that these rings are constituted of some kind of matter, if not solid, at least to all appearance as much so as the body of the planet. Their thickness must be very inconsiderable, for when the edge is turned to the eye it is no longer visible, except to the powerful reflecting telescope of Dr. Herschel.—Thus the rings undergo phases according to the position of the planet in his orbit, which prove them to be opaque, like other bodies in the planetary system, and like them shining by reflection. I am not informed what is the precise velocity of the rotary motion of the rings; probably their varying aspect, or some other cause has prevented a correct observation from being made. However, the planet itself revolves on its axis, with an astonishing velocity; and no doubt the rings also, though perhaps with different degrees of velocity.

The appearance of Saturn, I conceive, establishes the fact, that the principle of concentric spheres, or hollow planets, does exist, at least in one instance, in the solar system. And if the fact be established that it exists in one case, is it not fair, nay, is it not almost a certain and necessary consequence, that the same laws of matter which formed one planet into concentric spheres, must form all the others on a plan more or less the same? If we draw any conclusion, or form any opinion at all, respecting the formation of the planets, whose inner parts we cannot see; or if we form any opinion in relation to our own planet in particular, whose poles have never been explored, would not reasoning from analogy bring us to the conclusion, that all bodies of matter are formed similar to that of Saturn, unless we have positive proof to the contrary? But it is not in Saturn alone that we find proof of the principles contended for by Captain Symmes. Most, if not all of the other planets, belonging to our system, whose relative situation afford us an opportunity of observation, appear to exhibit strong proofs that the same principles prevail throughout.

The planet Mars, exhibits concentric circles round one or the other of his poles, according as either is more or less in opposition to us. These circles appear alternately light and dark, exactly as they should, supposing the planet to be constituted of concentric spheres, (such as Symmes believes of the earth) the light being reflected from their verges on which it falls; and in which case the vacant space between the spheres would necessarily appear dark.

Sometimes he appears to us with a single ring at each pole. At such times his axis is at right angles, or nearly so, with a line drawn from the earth to his centre. This, I conceive, can be accounted for by the great refraction, occasioned by the increased density of his atmosphere around the poles, which appears to throw out the further sides of the verges so as to make them appear like rings, in the form they present themselves to our view. That such is the natural appearance may be evidenced by taking a small wooden sphere with open poles, and immerse it in a circular glass vessel filled with water; when viewed horizontally through the side of the glass, with the plane of the openings at a right angle with the visual ray, the refraction occasioned by the water, answering to the dense atmosphere of Mars, will apparently throw out the polar openings, and present you with a view, similar to the appearance of Mars, when his axis is at right angles to us.

Our next neighbour, Venus, between us and the sun, (though her being between us and the sun prevents us from having so favourable an opportunity of examining her poles, as those of Mars, who is our next neighbour on the side opposite the sun) presents appearances at certain times, which seem to lead to the conclusion, that she also is constituted of concentric spheres. At times, when this planet is nearly a crescent, we are able to discover a deficient space near the tip of one of her horns. Admitting Venus to be constituted of concentric spheres with open poles; and supposing one of the vacant spaces, between two of her spheres about the polar openings, to traverse her horn or cusp, at the place where the dark space occurs,—it would present to us exactly such an appearance as does actually occur.

At other times, one of the horns or cusps of Venus is seen to wind inward as it were into the body of the planets, extending about fifteen degrees further than the other horn. This is an appearance which would also be presented, if Venus is formed according to Symmes's theory. And again, supposing one of her horns to terminate around the verge of a polar opening, in such way as to follow the curve of the verge for some distance, (which is of course more curved than the periphery of the planet) and the same appearances, I think, would occur. The axis of the planet not being at right angles with the polar openings, in its revolutions one side of the verge would be thrown much nearer to us than the other; and the different spheres revolving on their axes with different velocities would at different times exhibit to our view the verge of a different sphere.[5]

The axis of the planet Jupiter is always at right angles with a line drawn to the earth, consequently his poles are never presented to us; but his belts, which we can and do see, seem to speak loudly in favour of a plurality of spheres. The most common appearance of Jupiter is, that he is surrounded by four belts; two bright and two dark, alternate to each other. But they are variable, presenting different appearances; at some times seven or eight belts are discoverable, at other times they appear interrupted in their length, and to increase and diminish alternately, running into each other, and again to separate into a number of belts of a smaller size. If Jupiter be a solid globe, I would enquire, how is it possible to account for those various changes in his belts, or even for their existence at all? Astronomers, I understand, have heretofore considered the phenomena of Jupiter's belts as altogether unaccountable. If he be a simple plain globe, those belts could not exist; or if they did, they must forever remain uniform, and not change their size and shape, or relative positions in respect to each other; neither could the spots on one belt rotate faster than those on another. But if we adopt the doctrine of concentric spheres, and that this planet is composed of a number of them, we can account at once for all the various appearances in a rational manner. The belts would be produced by the shadow cast on the space between the polar opening of one sphere and the adjoining one; that is, a portion of the sunshine, would be reflected from the verges of the spheres on which it fell; and another portion would appear to be swallowed by the intervening space. And if refraction bends the rays of vision between and under his spheres, as it bends a portion of the rays of the sun, so as to produce the apparent belts of comparative shade, then a very complete solution of those appearances, heretofore considered wonderful, would be afforded. The variation which has been observed in their number, shape, and dimensions, can in no way be better accounted for, than by concluding the planet to be constituted of a number of concentric spheres, of different breadths, revolving on different axes, and with different velocities, so as sometimes to present to our view the verge of one sphere, and sometimes that of another: and the rays of the sun falling on the parts of the verges presented to us, would occasion the diversified appearances which we discover. If some sections of both crusts of the spheres be formed of water alone, and become occasionally transparent, it will afford an additional reason for the varying phenomena attendant on these appearances, which may also be increased by alternate regions of water, ice, dry land, and snow.

Modern astronomers have long noticed the spots frequently visible on the sun. They are described as having the appearance of vast holes, or fractures, in his outer surface or crust, through which an inner appears to be seen. This, also, seems to favour the doctrine of different spheres. Notwithstanding the sun revolves very slowly on his axis, it is probable that his poles are open to a greater or less extent; but we can never see into them, owing perhaps to the earth, never being very far from the plane of the sun's equator, his being such a vast deal larger than the earth, and the atmosphere surrounding him so extremely luminous.

Very little doubt exists in my mind, that the poles of the sun and of Jupiter would appear somewhat like those of Mars or the rings of Saturn, were it not that the two former never present their axes, in any perceptible degree, towards us; neither does our satellite, the moon, ever present either of her poles to us: hence, though this may be in some degree open, (notwithstanding her slow rotation) owing to her axis always being nearly at right angles with a line drawn to the earth, we are not able to see whether they are open or not,—more especially as her atmosphere is so light and rare as not to produce much refraction. The vast round deep caverns observable on the surface of the moon, appear as if they might once have been polar openings; if so, she must frequently have changed her axis.

The spots of light which have at different periods been discovered by astronomers, on the surface of the moon, near her poles, when she was on the face of the sun, in an eclipse of that luminary, are perhaps best accounted for by supposing the sun to shine in, either at one of her polar openings or through a cavity on her further side, and appearing to us through one of her annular cavities, on this side, and near her poles: Or the sun being much larger than the moon, and the axis of the moon a little varied from right angles with the earth, (or perhaps the low side of the sphere being next to the earth,) the sun would shine through an annular cavity or open pole, so as to appear to us as a spot of light on the moon's disk.

The foregoing enumerated astronomical phenomena are some of the facts tending to confirm and elucidate Symmes's theory. They all have been long known to exist; yet I have never heard them accounted for to the satisfaction of my mind. Indeed, I believe some of them never was attempted to be accounted for in any manner whatever. I would, therefore, request the reader, who may deign to give the subject a serious thought, to reflect, that if all the celestial orbs are entire round globes, as the old theory considers them to be, on what principles, or in what manner, could they present the various appearances which I have enumerated? Why should the horns of Venus assume different shapes? What would make the appearance of belts on Jupiter? Or rings and concentric circles at the poles of Mars? And, finally, in what position could a round solid globe be placed, to exhibit the rings of Saturn, revolving with different velocities, as it respects each other, and spaces appearing between them and the body of the planet, through which stars, millions of miles beyond, can be distinctly seen? These are phenomena I should like to hear explained. On the principle of concentric spheres, they can all be accounted for in a most satisfactory manner. They appear perfectly plain and intelligible. What was thought to be involved in inexplicable mystery, and mid-night darkness now perfectly accords with the established laws of nature, and can be understood by the most ordinary capacity.