An example of a metaphor used by a scientist:
"A VOLCANO is not made on purpose to frighten superstitious people into fits of piety and devotion, nor to overwhelm devoted cities with destruction; a volcano should be considered as a spiracle to the subterranean furnace, in order to prevent the unnecessary elevation of land, and fatal effects of earthquakes; and we may rest assured, that they, in general, wisely answer the end of their intention, without being in themselves an end, for which nature had exerted such amazing power and excellent contrivance.
James Hutton (1788) Theory of the Earth
Athanasius Kircher had earlier also suggested that volcanoes are the breath-pipes of Nature.
Arguably, 'furnace' may also be considered metaphorical, although Huttom seemed to think there was actually fire burning inside the earth.
This quote also implies that a volcano has been designed for a purpose (see also 'internal heat of the Earth is for the purpose of maintaining plants and animals') – an example of teleology.
Read about teleology in science
Read examples of teleological (pseudo)explanations for scientific phenomena
Read about types of pseudo-explanations
