CHAPTER X.

Inquiry into the interior construction of the Earth--_continued_ 184 Density of 8·8 times that of water still too high for the possible compression of the component matter of the earth as known to us 185 Reasons for this conclusion drawn from crushing strains of materials 186 A limit to density shown thereby 187 The greatest density need not exceed 6·24 of water 188 Gases shut up in the hollow centre. Their weight must so far diminish the conceded maximum of 6·24 189 Density of inner half of earth at 3000 miles diameter. Greatest density may be less than 5·833 of water 190 Supposed pressure of inclosed gases very moderate 191 Meaning of heat limit to density. Temperature of interior half of shell and inclosed gases must be equal 193 State of the hollow interior 194 Results of the whole inquiry 195