. Recognizing this great improbability, even in
the absence of a reconciliation between the apparently conflicting
traits, it is, I think, clear that when, in the way above shown, we are
enabled to understand how it happens that the vortical motion, not
ordinarily implicating the photosphere, may consequently be in most
cases unapparent, the reasons for accepting the cyclonic theory become
almost conclusive.]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 25: If the "rice-grain" appearance is thus produced by the
tops of the ascending currents (and M. Faye accepts this
interpretation), then I think it excludes M. Faye's hypothesis that the
Sun is gaseous throughout. The comparative smallness of the light-giving
spots and their comparative uniformity of size, show us that they have
ascended through a stratum of but moderate depth (say 10,000 miles), and
that this stratum has a _definite_ lower limit. This favours the
hypothesis of a molten shell.]

[Footnote 26: I should add that while M. Faye ascribes solar spots to
clouds formed within cyclones, we differ concerning the nature of the
cloud. I have argued that it is formed by rarefaction, and consequent
refrigeration, of the metallic gases constituting the stratum in which
the cyclone exists. He argues that it is formed within the mass of
cooled hydrogen drawn from the chromosphere into the vortex of the
cyclone. Speaking of the cyclones he says:--"Dans leur embouchure evasee
ils entraineront l'hydrogene froid de la chromosphere, produisant
partout sur leur trajet vertical un abaissement notable de temperature
et une obscurite relative, due a l'opacite de l'hydrogene froid
englouti." (_Revue Scientifique_, 24 March 1883.) Considering the
intense cold required to reduce hydrogen to the "critical point," it is
a strong supposition that the motion given to it by fluid friction on
entering the vortex of the cyclone, can produce a rotation, rarefaction,
and cooling, great enough to produce precipitation in a region so
intensely heated.]

ILLOGICAL GEOLOGY.

[_First published in_ The Universal Review _for July,_ 1859.]

That proclivity to generalization which is possessed in greater or less
degree by all minds, and without which, indeed, intelligence cannot
exist, has unavoidable inconveniences. Through it alone can truth be
reached; and yet it almost inevitably betrays into error. But for the
tendency to predicate of every other case, that which has been found in
the observed ca