CELESTIAL CHEMISTRY. 257 



motion, exhibits a similar unity of operation amidst the changes of the 

 bodies which have not life. 



"The observations recorded in this report seem to afford some 

 proof that a similar unity of operation extends through the universe as 

 far as light enables us to have cognizance of material objects. For 

 we may infer that the stars, while differing, the one from the other, in 

 the kinds of matter of which they consist, arc all constructed upon 

 the same plan as our sun, and are composed of matter identical, at 

 least in part, with the materials of our system. 



"The differences which exist between the stars are of the lower or- 

 der of differences of particular adaptation, or special modification, 

 and not differences of the higher order of distinct plans of structure. 



" There is, therefore, a probability that these stars, which are anal- 

 ogous to our sun in structure, fulfil an analogous purpose, and are, 

 like our sun, surrounded by planets, which they by their attraction 

 uphold, and by their radiation illuminate and energize. And if mat- 

 ter identical with that upon the earth exists in the stars, the same mat- 

 ter would also probably be present in the planets genetically connected 

 with them, as is the case in our solar system. 



" It is remarkable that the elements most widely diffused through 

 the host of stars are some of those most closely connected with the con- 

 stitution of the living organisms of our globe, including hydrogen, 

 sodium, magnesium, and iron. Of oxygen and nitrogen we could 

 scarcely hope to have any decisive indications, since these bodies 

 have spectra of different orders.* These forms of elementary mat- 

 ter, when influenced by heat, light, and chemical force, all of which 

 we have certain knowledge, are radiated from the stars, afford some of 

 the most important conditions which we know to be indispensable to the 

 existence of living organisms, such as those with which we are ac- 

 quainted. On the whole, we believe that the foregoing spectrum ob- 

 servations on the stars contribute something towards an experimental 

 basis, on which a conclusion, hitherto but a pure speculation, may 

 rest, viz : that at least the brighter stars are, like our sun, upholding 

 and energizing centres of systems of worlds adapted to be the abode 

 of living beings." 



Discoveries in Relation to the Nebidce. By far the most wonderful 

 of the revelations of spectrum analysis applied to the heavenly bodies 

 has yet to come. Encouraged by his success with the fixed stars, Mr. 

 Huggins resolved to apply this new and potent method of research to 

 the examination of those mysterious bodies, the Nebulae, and this in- 

 vestigation was rewarded by one of the most important discoveries 

 connected with the physical constitution of those wonderful objects, 

 and with the cosmical origin of the universe, which we venture to 

 think has ever been made. From the time of Sir W. Herschel, 

 who took up Messier's scanty list of 103 Nebulae, and increased them 

 to 2,500, throwing out at the same time the supposition that_ although 

 he had resolved nearly all those of Messier's list into clusters of stars, 

 and discovered hundreds of other clusters, yet that there were numer- 

 ous nebulae which, from their being easily visible, and yet resisting 

 every attempt by increased aperture or power to resolve them, must 



*That is, differ entirely at different temperatures and pressures. 

 22* 



