power of gravity after having once been 

 under its influence. It may reasonably 

 be supposed that any body or substance 

 which would be capable of floating loose 

 in space must have its origin in some 

 sphere. It could not otherwise have an 

 existence; and having once formed the 

 part of some sphere, no power could de- 

 tach it from its surrounding and project 

 it into space, other than through disrup- 

 tion of the parent body. But the histo- 

 ry of science has furnished no evidence 

 of such disruption. 



The insignificant manifestations, such 

 as aerolites, meteorites and meteors, 

 which bring with them nothing foreign, 

 should not be received as evidence in 

 the establishment of a philosophy. The 

 tame uniformity of those bodies, and 

 the slight inclination of their pathways 

 earthward, preclude their being classed 

 with external forces, ^irolites of im- 

 mense size are not unfrequently observ- 

 ed to pass in a direction almost horizon- 

 tal to the earth and in close proximity 

 to it, for hundreds of miles. This fact 

 is very damaging to the philosophy 

 which the phenomenon is claimed to 

 sustain. 



In view of all the facts which 

 physical science presents, we are forced 

 to the conclusion that there are no for- 

 eign bodies or substances existing in 

 space ; that none may be found within 

 the range of our atmosphere, or which 

 may come within its range, which are 

 not of purely terrestrial origin. 



The supposition that old useless 

 worlds, comets, meteors, etc., are at- 

 . tracted to the sun to be utilized for the 

 production of its light and heat, is con- 

 trary to every principle of reason and 



