Close Binary Systems. 



117 



of the Laws of Attraction, is sufficient to warrant the belief that if 

 at any future time the limitations now hampering the rigorous treat- 

 ment of the problem were removed, theory and observation would 

 be in complete harmony. 



Figure of Equilihkium of R. K. Cfntauri cis obtaiiifd Jroiii 



obscivatioiis. 



fig. 



Figurf:s of Equilibrium of Two Rot.\tin-g M.\sses of Fluid 

 ALMOST i\ coxiwCT. {Dnrii'iii ... Pliil. Trans., To/. 178, p. 429.) 



fig. 4. 



Pcipciidicithir Section. 



HoAv wide binar>- systems such as « Centauri, Sirius, and 

 Castor are evolved from close binary systems like RR Centauri 

 belongs to the region of confident speculation. We know that 

 tidal action would tend to make all binary systems circle in ever- 

 widening orbits, forming infinite spirals. But as the security of our 



