7 6 KANT'S UNIVERSAL NATURAL HISTORY 



chaos, we easily perceive that all the results of the pro- 

 cess would consist in the formation of diverse masses 

 which, when their formation was complete, would by 

 the equality of their attraction be at rest and be for ever 

 unmoved. 



But nature has other forces in store, which are 

 especially exerted when matter is decomposed into fine 

 particles. They are those forces by which these particles 

 repel each other, and which, by their conflict with 

 attraction, bring forth that movement which is, as it were, 

 the lasting life of nature. This force of repulsion is 

 manifested in the elasticity of vapours, the effluences of 

 strong smelling bodies, and the diffusion of all spirituous 

 matters. This force is an incontestable phenomenon of 

 matter. It is by it that the elements, which may be 

 falling to the point attracting them, are turned sideways 

 promiscuously from their movement in a straight line ; and 

 their perpendicular fall thereby issues in circular move- 

 ments, which encompass the centre towards which they 

 were falling. In order to make the formation of the 

 world more distinctly conceivable, we will limit our view 

 by withdrawing it from the infinite universe of nature 

 and directing it to a particular system, as the one which 

 belongs to our sun. Having considered the generation 

 of this system, we shall be able to advance to a similar 

 consideration of the origin of the greater world-systems, 

 and thus to embrace the infinitude of the whole creation 

 in one conception. 



From what has been said, it will appear that if a 

 point is situated in a very large space where the attrac- 

 tion of the elements there situated acts more strongly 

 than elsewhere, then the matter of the elementary 



