30 ORIGIN OF THE 



along with them towards the common centre; 

 but, attracted from their course by approaching 

 other masses, and being absorbed by them, or 

 carried around them by the centrifugal and cen- 

 tripetal forces : all finally assuming the same 

 direction around their centres; for, the masses 

 taking an opposite direction would meet, and 

 unite, the smaller with the larger, and be carried 

 along with them ; or, be finally absorbed in the 

 central mass; or, be kept at uniform distances 

 by the action of the forces above named. These 

 masses, as they united with each other, being in 

 a fluid state, would assume and retain the glob- 

 ular form, however often their masses might be 

 enlarged by uniting with others. Thus, these 

 liquid masses rolled through space, frequently 

 crossing each other's track ; some, passing 

 others, were checked in their onward course by 

 their attraction, and made to assume a direction 

 around them; others, coming in contact with 

 sufficient force to carry off a part of the mass 



