COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



manner the hardening of an igneous rock is 

 effected by cooling, which implies the loss of 

 internal motion. Indeed the phenomena of heat 

 and cold exhibit en masse an illustration of the 

 general principle. The progress of any mass of 

 matter from a gaseous to a liquid, and thence to 

 a solid state, is attended by the continuous dis- 

 sipation of molecular motion ; while change in 

 the contrary direction is attended by a contin- 

 uous absorption of such motion. With molar 

 motions the case is precisely similar. " Aug- 

 ment the velocities of the planets, and their or- 

 bits will enlarge ; the solar system will occupy 

 a wider space. Diminish their velocities, and 

 their orbits will lessen ; the solar system will 

 contract. And in like manner we see that every 

 sensible motion on the earth's surface involves 

 a partial disintegration of the moving body from 

 the earth, while the loss of its motion is ac- 

 companied by the body's reintegration with the 

 earth." Finally, if we consider the case of or- 

 ganisms, we find that the incorporation of food 

 into the substance of the tissues is constantly 

 accompanied by the giving out of motion in 

 some form of organic activity, while conversely, 

 the decomposition which follows death is at- 

 tended by an immense absorption of molecular 

 motion. The latter statement is proved by the 

 fact that the elements of which such an organism 

 as the human body is composed have more than 

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