ar_ the battery do the phenomena
manifest themselves. Though the developer of light, heat, and power, the
battery itself is neither luminous, hot, nor magnetic. "To explain the
effects of the sun, therefore, there is not the least reason to infer
that it is itself luminous, or even warm. Potential action generated in
a dark, cold body, may produce great heat and light, at a distance from
the seat of activity; and _what is thus wrought artificially in a small
way may surely be done naturally in a tremendous fashion by the grand
forces of the sun_."

_Inter-currents._

It is now well known that a number of currents may pass in each
direction, at the same time, over one and the same telegraph wire; and
in like manner, great solar currents may pass to and fro without
interference.

_Solution of the Problem._

Sun-heat, therefore, like sunlight and gravity, is a veritable
production, yet it is not due to the process of combustion. It is not
dependent for its creation upon the destruction of fabulous quantities
of substantial materials. _The rather does it originate in, and is it
disseminated through the vast energies of spheres retro-acting upon
spheres throughout the whole universe of matter._

FOOTNOTES:

[6] Appendix, p. 99.

[7] Appendix, p. 100.

[8] Appendix, p. 100.

[9] Appendix, p. 101.

[10] Appendix, p. 102.

[C] In the motions of the spheres through space, unlike all other forms
of motion, there is no element of resistance. This form of motion is
therefore incapable of developing _vis viva_.

CHAPTER VI.

THE SEASONS.

_Why their varying Temperature?_

The usual explanation of these phenomena, _i. e._, the influence of
direct and oblique sun-rays, has ever seemed insufficient and
unsatisfactory; especially in view of the _fact_ that the heat comes not
from the sun by continuity after the manner of progression as from a
heated body.

A philosophy more exact and consistent may be found in the development
of the theory already advanced, and which is illustrated in the
following plates.

_The maximum of heat at the surface of the earth bears a very constant
and intimate relation to the line of greatest diameters of the sun and
earth._--Pl. II. a.

Through this line the heat-producing functions of these great spheres
are in operation in the highest degree.