INFINITY OF THE UNIVERSE 99 



able distance measure corresponding quantities. 

 The smallest cluster of atoms visible and measur- 

 able in the microscope is at one end of the scale, 

 and our stellar system, itself a cluster of stellar 

 " atoms," is at the other. But if we want to extend 

 our investigations into the supra-world itself we 

 must transcend the stellar system, just as, in our 

 exploration of the infra-world, we had to descend 

 far below the smallest microscopic object. Our 

 guides into the unknown were the known laws of 

 electricity and chemistry, which enabled us to draw 

 conclusions concerning objects individually concealed 

 from our senses. These same physical laws shall be 

 our guides into the supra-world. 



In dealing with ultra-stellar distances, I do not 

 propose to interlard my remarks with wondering 

 contemplations of the awfulness of spatial vastnesses. 

 It is not because I am less reverent than other 

 people, but because I find other objects of reverence 

 than mere size. To worship mere size is a relic of 

 barbarism. There is nothing inherently appalling 

 in the infinite or the infinitesimal. Size is purely 

 relative. We must resolutely refuse to be over- 

 wl I- In i'd by figures. To me a figure ceases to be 

 overwhelming as soon as it is expressible in con- 

 cise notation, exponential or otherwise. And oven 

 infinity itself is a mathematical quantity which 

 algebra has deprived of most of its terrors. 



We start with the assumption that our stellar 



