KANT'S GAS THEORY. 323 



the universe gradually changed, by increasing refrigeration 

 and condensation, into the fiery fluid or molten state of 

 aggregation. By the process of condensation, a great 

 quantity of heat was emitted, and the rotating suns, planets, 

 and moons, soon changed into glowing balls of fire, like 

 gigantic drops of melted metal, which emitted light and 

 heat. By loss of heat, the melted mass on the surface of the 

 fiery fluid ball became further condensed, and thus arose a 

 thin, firm crust, which enclosed a fiery fluid nucleus. In all 

 essential respects our mother earth probably did not differ 

 from the other bodies of the universe. 



In view of the object of these pages, it will not be of 

 especial interest to follow in detail the history of the natural 

 creation of the universe, with its different solar and planet- 

 ary systems, and to establish it mathematically by the dif- 

 ferent astronomical and geological proofs. The outlines of it, 

 which I have just mentioned, must be sufficient here, and 

 for further details I refer to Kant's* " General History of 

 Nature and Theory of the Heavens." ^^ I will only add 

 that this wonderful theory, which might be called the cosnio- 

 logical gas theory, harmonizes with all the general series of 

 phenomena at present known to us, and stands in no irre- 

 concilable contradiction to any one of them. Moreover, it 

 is purely mechanical or monistic, makes use exclusively of 

 the inherent forces of eternal matter, and entirely excludes 

 every supernatural process, every prearranged and conscious 

 action of a personal Creator. Kant's Cosmological Gas 

 Theory consequently occupies a similar supreme position in 

 Anorganology, especially in Geology, and forms the crown 

 of our knowledge in that department, in the same 



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Allgemeine Naturgeschichte und Theorie des Hinimela.'' 



