The Evolution of the Sciences 



to say, a system formed of two twin stars. It 

 is clear to what consequences Myers's hypothesis 

 leads. Extended to the other variable stars 

 it shows us in synthetic fashion the successive 

 stages of the evolution of a nebula in course 

 of condensation. " Gemini and W Virginis 

 present practically to our view the segmentation 

 of a nebula, the birth of a binary system, p 

 Lyrae and V Pegasi show us the segmentation 

 nearly complete. In S Voiles and S Cancri 

 the separation is completed, but for one of the 

 components the work of condensation is barely 

 commencing. In Y Cygni the components 

 seem to have developed concurrently and to be 

 two twin stars. Finally, in Algol, which forms 

 the last link of the chain, one of the components 

 is entirely extinct, and is probably approaching 

 the end of its existence as a luminous body, 

 whereas the other is still a radiant sun." 1 



Thus the study of the " obscure brightness " 

 of the stars has shown us the infinite variety 

 of the worlds peopling the heavens and has 

 justified M. Janssen's audacious exclamation: 



1 Andr, Trait'e d? Astronomic Stellaire, vol. II. p. 309. 

 252 



