NEBULAR HYPOTHESIS. 9 



composing planetary systems."* The nebulae, in 

 short, are said to be now shown as clusters of 

 stars, rendered apparently nebulous only by the 

 vast distance at which they are placed. There is J 

 often seen a greater vehemence and rashness in 

 objecting to, than in presenting h}-potheses ; and 

 we appear to have here an instance of such hasty 

 counter-generalization. The fact is, that the nebulae ^^ 

 were always understood to be of two kinds: '•■ 

 1, nebulae which were only distant clusters, and 

 which yielded, one after another, to the resolving 

 powers of telescopes, as these powers were in- 

 creased ; 2, nebulae comparatively near, which no 

 increase of telescopic power affected. Two classes 

 of objects wholly different were, from their partial 

 resemblance, recognised by one name, and hence 

 the confusion which has arisen upon the subject. 

 The resolution of a great quantity of the first kind 

 of nebulae by Lord Rosse's telescope was of course 

 expected, and it is a fact, though in itself interest- 

 ing, of no consequence to the nebular hypothesis. 

 It will only be in the event of the second class 

 being also resolved, and its being thus shown 



* North British Review, iii. 477. 

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