130 On the Formation of the Universe. 
the sun: and an inverse proportion to the number and mass 
of its satellites. The revolution of each satellite on its axis, 
and its periodical time, are probably equal. 
5. The planets, taken with respect to their masses and in- 
termediate distances, exist in two distinct series, the upper 
between the planetary and lunar systems, and there are rea- 
sons to presume that it exists also with regard to eccentrici- 
ty and quantity of matter. 
6. The asteroids appear to exist in pairs, two of them 
having atmospheres similar to each other, but much great- 
er than the aimospheres of the other two; and the individ- 
ual of each pair which has the most oblique orbit, is in very 
nearly the same degree the most eccentric, and its mean 
distance from the sun is in a different degree the greatest. 
7. The rings of Saturn are nearly in the same plane with 
its equator and satellites: The inner ring is much larger 
an the outer one, and their angular motion is a little slow- 
er than that of the planet, but much more rapid than that of 
a satellite at the mean distance of its parts. Saturn in con- 
tradistinction from all the other planets, and from the form 
which it would naturally assume if it were fluid, is consider- 
shly.de ressed about its equator, 
_8. The densities of the various planets and satellites are 
generally in inverse proportion to their quantities of matter, 
and in a direct proportion to their distance from the sun. 
_9. Comets move indiscriminately and almost equally in 
all directions. The perihelia of all of them are between the 
suo and the orbit of Jupiter ; and the orbits of the interven- 
ing planets are, with regard to their obliquity, the most ir- 
regular. 
10. The stars are not uniformly scattered over the firma- 
ment, but appear in nebulae, which are generally arranged 
into strata, and run ontoa great length. Some of these 
strata appear parallel to each other, and some in the shape 
