n the Formation of the Universe. 131 
ofafan. With the exception of these strata, and numerous 
subordinate circular collections, the figures of ~ various 
clusters seem to be whoily fortuitous. 
the primitive rocks were precipitated from water, the 
precipitation, according to all our experience on the sub- 
ject, must have been gradual. At the time of such precipi- 
tation the earth must have had a diurnal motion, because it 
evidently partakes of the spheroidal form derived from ‘such 
motion, far below the general level of any rocks with which 
we are acquainted. ‘T’his motion, in connexion with the in- 
fluence of the other bodies in the system, would produce a 
_ disturbance in the water around the earth, silitlar to what 
the tides now exhibit, but much greater in degree. The una- 
voidable inequalities in the surface of the Pc oggee nic 
rocks, would subject them, at least in some degree, to tritu- 
ration at the prominent parts, and to alluvial de pnipoe in the 
cavities, But no such deposites can be found. aeons 
water, whereas by heat and electricity they can all be 
sanction There is, therefore, at least good reason to pre- 
sume, that by these and other elastic agents they were once 
separated, and came together either partially by the aid of 
water, or wholly without it. 
In the process of the argument it will be necessary to 
take severalthings for granted, of which the proof is cumu- 
lative, or most appropriate in another place. Suppose the 
component particles of the matter in the solar system to 
have never come together, chet to be mixed indiscriminate- 
ly, and distributed by means of light and heat, in a flat 
spheroid, having its greatest diameter some millions of miles 
longer than that of Herschel’s orbit, and revolving with such 
rapidity as to throw off portions from its circumference. 
nent Soothes ‘Suppose that by some means or other its 
motion should be increased to such a degree, that by the 
time it had shrunk to about midway between the orbits of 
— and Herschel, it would have thrown off from its cir- 
mference as much matter as is.contained in Hersehel and 
its satellites. Suppose that its motion should be still in- 
