xxxi.] LIMITS OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD. 740 



no other evidence. I adduce all these facts and arguments, 

 not to show that there is any considerable probability, as 

 far as we can judge, of interruption within the scope of 

 human history, but to prove that the Uniformity of Nature 

 is theoretically consistent with the most unexpected events 

 of which we can form a conception. 



Possible States of the Universe. 



When we give the rein to scientific imagination, ifc 

 becomes apparent that conflict of body with body must; 

 not be regarded as the rare exception, but as the general 

 rule and the inevitable fate of each star system. So far 

 as we can trace out the results of the law of gravitation, 

 and of the disblp&tion of energy, the universe must be re- 

 garded as undergoing gradual condensation into a single 

 cold solid body of gigantic dimensions. Those who so 

 frequently use the expression Uniformity of Nature seem 

 to forget that the Universe might exist consistently with 

 the laws of nature in the most diverse conditions. It 

 might consist, on the one hand, of a glowing nebulous 

 mass of gaseous substances. The heat might be so intense 

 that all elements, even carbon and silicon, would be 

 in the state of gas, and all atoms, of whatever nature, 

 would be flying about in chemical independence, diffusing 

 themselves almost uniformly in the neighbouring parts 

 of space. There would then be no life, unless we can 

 apply that name to the passage through each part of 

 space of similar average trains of atoms, the particular 

 succession of atoms being governed only by the theory 

 of probability, and the law of divergence from a mean 

 exhibited in the Arithmetical Triangle. Such a universe 

 would correspond partially to the Lucretian rain of atoms, 

 and to that nebular hypothesis out of which Laplace 

 proposed philosophically to explain the evolution of the 

 planetary system. 



According to another extreme supposition, the intense 

 heat-energy of this nebulous mass might be radiated away 

 into the unknown regions of outer space. The attraction 

 of gravity would exert itself between each two particles, 

 and the energy of motion thence arising would, by in- 

 cessant conflicts, be resolved into heat and dissipated. 



