1877.] ^^«^ [Chase. 



Stock well also remarks* that "a comparison of the values which the 

 different solutions give for the superior limit of the eccentricity of the 

 Earth's orbit, has suggested the inquiry whether there may not be some un- 

 known physical relation between the masses and mean distances of the dif- 

 ferent planets." If such a relation exists, the constancy of the mean dis- 

 tances would also seem to imply a like constancy of absolute or relative 

 masses, and the inquiry naturally arises, which is the logical antecedent ; 

 whether distance has determined mass or mass has determined distance. 



There is abundant evidence on the one hand, of "cosmical dust," and 

 meteorites, which are contributing to the enlargement of the sun and 

 the planets ; on the other, of internal convulsions, which are occasionally 

 ejecting materials beyond the reach of primitive attraction. It is com- 

 monly believed that the enlarging tendencies predominate,and that the sum 

 of all physical tendencies is towards stagnation, death, and universal 

 gloom. Such a belief seems to me erroneous, and based upon limited con- 

 siderations. It is not easy, as yet, to trace all the compensative and resto- 

 rative energies, but some of them are strongly indicated by the various cos- 

 mical relations which, through all periodic and secular inequalities, tend to 

 maintain the stability of planetary orbits. 



In judging of the probable logical antecedence, it is well to remember, 

 that all of the correlations which I have pointed out have been based upon 

 general considerations of oscillatory centres, as influenced by radial, tan- 

 gential, superficial, and volumetric disturbances, with reference to simple 

 centres of inertia, and entirely independent of mass. My own convictions 

 that spirit must necessarily, both logically and chronologically, take preced- 

 ence of matter, have been strengthened by my investigations. Others, 

 who have been accustomed to look more exclusively to physical influences, 

 may perhaps be differently impressed by them. If they can give auv phys- 

 ical explanation of the instantaneous action of gravity at all distances, or 

 if they can frame any satisfactory hypothesis to account for such action ex- 

 cept bj' constant spiritual activity, it will be gladly welcomed by all sincere 

 seekers after truth. If, on the other hand, they admit that instantaneous 

 action is incompatible with inertia, they may find that their own studies of 

 nature lead them to a sure recognition of the supernatural, as an essential 

 element of sound and catholic philosophy. 



If a nebulous mass were to be divided by some internal convulsion, the 

 ruptured portions would be projected from their common centre of gravity to 

 distances varying inversely as their masses. If the first rupture were simple 

 and one mass were much larger than the other, it could not obey the ten- 

 dency to revolve about the common centre of gravity in a time proportional 

 to the I power of the distance, but the tendency might be manifested in other 

 equivalent ways. The synchronism of linear oscillations through twics the 

 diameter, and orbital oscillations through the circumference of a circle, 

 points to a possible mode of such manifestation, by the removal of the larger 

 mass to such distance as would allow the linear oscillations, or equivalent 



*0p. clt., xvH. 



