Page:Clement Fezandié - Through the Earth.djvu/103

Rh below the equator, and are consequently not traveling quite so fast; but for convenience I shall suppose that we are turning at the rate of one thousand miles an hour. In other words, every object in Australia, including you, myself, the car, and, in short, every object around us, is continually traveling toward the east at the rapid rate of one thousand miles an hour!"

"I understand," said Flora, noticing that her companion paused.

"Well, suppose the earth were to suddenly stop spinning; do you know what would happen to you?"

"I suppose I should keep on turning in a circle," said Flora.

"Not a bit of it," said Dr. Giles; "you would fly off in a straight line toward the east, at the rate of one thousand miles per hour! And the same thing will happen with the car. In a word, the car, in its fall through the earth, will retain this initial velocity, and during its entire passage through the tube will be flying toward the east at the frightful speed of one thousand miles an hour."

"Yes," said Flora, "I understand that; but the tunnel, too, will be traveling just as fast. The tube will be moving toward the east at the rate of