244 TIIE NEBULAE IIYrOTUESIS. 



distribution of nebula?. Besides again showing itself in 

 the fact that &quot; the poorest regions in stars are near the rich 

 est in nebula?,&quot; the law above specified applies to the heav 

 ens as a whole. In that zone of celestial space where stars 

 are excessively abundant, nebuhe are rare ; while in the two 

 opposite celestial spaces that arc furthest removed from this 

 zone, nebula) are abundant. Scarcely any nebula; lie near 

 the galactic circle (or plane of the Milky Way) ; and the 

 great mass of them lie round the galactic poles. Can thia 

 also be mere coincidence ? When to the fact that the gen 

 eral mass of nebulas are antithetical in position to the gen 

 eral mass of stars, we add the fact that local regions of ne- 

 buhe arc regions where stars are scarce, and the further 

 fact that single nebula; are habitually found in comparative 

 ly starless spots ; does not the proof of a physical connex 

 ion become overwhelming ? Should it not require an in 

 finity of evidence to show that nebula) are not parts of our 

 sidereal system ? Let us see whether any such infinity of 

 evidence is assignable. Let us sec whether there is even a 

 single alleged proof which will bear examination. 



&quot;As seen through colossal telescope?,&quot; says Ilumboldt, &quot; tho 

 contemplation of these nebulous masses leads us into regions from 

 whence .1 ray of light, according to an assumption not wholly im 

 probable, requires millions of years to reach our earth to dis 

 tances for whoso measurement tho dimensions (tbc distance of 

 Sinus, or tbc calculated distances of tho binary stars in Cygnua 

 and the Centaur) of our nearest stratum of fixed stars scarcely 

 suffice.&quot; 



Now, in this somewhat confused sentence there is ex 

 pressed a more or less decided belief, that the distances of 

 the nebula) from our galaxy of stars as much transcend the 

 distances of our stars from each other, as these interstellar 

 distances transcend the dimensions of our planetary system. 

 Just as the diameter of the Earth s orbit, is an inapprccia- 



