STABILITY OF THE SYSTEM. 159 



might sometimes be neutralized altogether, and 

 at other times exaggerated by the accumulation 

 of the inequalities, so as to be intolerable. 



The circular form of the orbit therefore, which, 

 from its unique character, appears to be chosen 

 with some design, from its effects on the seasons 

 appears to be chosen with this design, so apparent 

 in other parts of creation, of securing the welfare 

 of organic life, by a steadfast and regular order 

 of the solar influence upon the planet. 



CHAPTER III. 

 The Stability of the Solar System. 



THERE is a consequence resulting from the actual 

 structure of the solar system, which has been 

 brought to light by the investigations of mathe- 

 maticians concerning the cause and laws of its 

 motions, and which has an important bearing on 

 our argument. It appears that the arrangement 

 which at present obtains is precisely that which 

 is necessary to secure the stability of the system. 

 This point we must endeavour to explain. 



If each planet were to revolve round the sun 

 without being affected by the other planets, there 

 would be a certain degree of regularity in its 

 motion ; and this regularity would continue for 

 ever. But it appears, by the discovery of the 



