»28 COSMIC PHILOSOPHY. [ft. n. 



number of forces anywhere concerned in producing a given 

 set of motions, the resulting rhythms are complex. It baa 

 been further shown that, save where the rhythms are abso- 

 lutely simple — a case which is never actually realized — 

 there must occur a redistribution of matter and motion as 

 the result of each rhythm. It next appeared that such a 

 redistribution involves on the one hand an integration of 

 matter, which implies a concomitant dissipation of motion, 

 and on the other hand a disintegration of matter, which 

 implies a concomitant absorption of motion. The former 

 process, which results in the acquirement of an individual 

 existence by sensible objects, has been named Evolution : 

 the latter process, which results in the loss of individual 

 existence by sensible objects, has been named Dissolution. 

 And we saw it to be a corollary from the universality of 

 rhythm that, while these two antagonist processes must ever 

 be going on simultaneously, there must be an alternation of 

 epochs during which now the former and now the latter is 

 predominant. In conclusion, it was barely hinted that these 

 two fundamental modes of redistribution must give rise, in 

 the majority of cases, to secondary redistributions, which 

 it is the business of a scientific philosophy to define and 

 formulate. 



Now, as we are about to start upon a long and complicated 

 inquiry, the proper treatment of which must task our utmost 

 resources of exposition, it will be desirable at the outset to 

 disencumber ourselves of all such luggage as we are not 

 absolutely obliged to take along with us. We shall there- 

 fore, for the present, leave the process of Dissolution entirely 

 out of the account, or shall refer to it only incidentally, in 

 cases where such a reference may assist in the elucidation of 

 the counter-process. In the following chapter we shall have 

 iccasion to treat of Dissolution in some detail as exemplified 

 in the probable future disintegration of our planetary system ; 

 at present we are concerned only with Evolution, which we 



