RHYTHM 



two principal ones, is not truly realized ; and 

 if we were to take into account the motions of 

 the whole system, due to the forces exerted 

 upon it by remote stellar systems, we should see 

 that it is very far from being realized. Viewed 

 in its relations to the entire visible universe of 

 stellar bodies, no planet moves in a closed curve; 

 and if we also take into consideration the un- 

 ceasing loss of molecular motion by each cos- 

 mical body, we shall perceive that even in this 

 relatively simple class of cases, the rhythms are 

 far too complex ever to result in the reproduc- 

 tion of a given distribution of forces. In the 

 relatively complex cases furnished by geology 

 and biology, this truth is still more strikingly 

 exemplified. Thus in the actual case with which 

 our science has to deal — the case of a universe 

 in which innumerable millions of bodies, from 

 a gigantic star like Sirius down to an inconceiv- 

 ably minute atom of hydrogen, are ceaselessly 

 exerting forces upon each other — we see, not 

 only that all motions must be rhythmical, but 

 that every rhythm, great or small, must end in 

 some redistribution, be it general or local, of 

 matter and motion. 



Or to state this final conclusion in a slightly 

 different form, — the mere coexistence of a 

 vast number of bodies in the universe necessi- 

 tates perpetual rhythm, resulting in a contin- 

 uous redistribution of matter and motion. Thus 



185 



