64 KANT'S UNIVERSAL NATURAL HISTORY 



observation perfectly agree in supporting each other, 

 have the same value as formal proofs, then the certainty 

 of these systems must be regarded as established. 



The attention of the observers of the heavens, has 

 thus motives enough for occupying itself with this 

 subject. The fixed stars, as we know, are all related to 

 a common plane and thereby form a co-ordinated whole, 

 which is a World of worlds. We see that at immense 

 distances there are more of such star-systems, and that 

 the creation in all the infinite extent of its vastness is 

 everywhere systematic and related in all its members. 



It might further be conjectured that these higher 

 universes are not without relation to one another, and 

 that by this mutual relationship they constitute again a 

 still more immense system. In. fact, we see that the 

 elliptical figures of these species of nebulous stars, as 

 represented by M. de Maupertuis, have a very near 

 relation to the plane of the Milky Way. Here a wide 

 field is open for discovery, for which observation must 

 give the key. The Nebulous Stars, properly so called, 

 and those about which there is still dispute as to 

 whether they should be so designated, must be examined 

 and tested under the guidance of this theory. When the 

 parts of nature are considered according to their design 

 and a discovered plan, there emerge certain properties 

 in it which are otherwise overlooked and which remain 

 concealed when observation is scattered without guidance 

 over all sorts of objects. 



The theory which we have expounded opens up to 

 us a view into the infinite field of creation, and furnishes 

 an idea of the work of God which is in accordance with 

 the infinity of the great Builder of the universe. If 



