The Solar System. 



The spectral analysis of the sun shows the lines of 

 hydrogen, azote and the gases of metals ; besides which,. 

 being as it is a burning planet, as combustion without 

 oxygen is inconceivable, we know of the presence also of 

 that gas. 



An atmosphere of azote is characteristic of the whole 

 starry world, and only thanks to this envelope, more 

 especially to the pressure which it exerts, the stars pre- 

 serve their spherical shape. Later on, when I come to 

 speak of the earth's atmosphere, it will be seen what 

 importance azote possesses in the lite of the globes,, 

 irrespective of their magnitude or position in space. 



Experience shows that almost all metals are converted 

 into vapour at a temperature of 3000 C. and inasmuch 

 as the force of heat on the sun is upwards of 10,000 C. 

 the vapours of metals revealed by the solar spectrum 

 appear perfectly natural ; not so however the oxygen 

 and hydrogen gases, since the first of these is a pro- 

 duct of the vegetable world, and the second of the wa- 

 tery element. As the sun's surface, throughout the histo- 

 rical age of man has been a field of fire, neither water 

 nor vegetable life can exist upon it. 



From whence, we ask, could the sun derive these 

 gases ? It seems evident, as I shall endeavour to show,_ 

 that they owe their presence on the sun to the planetary 

 world. 



In the Universe as a living organism there is nothing 

 eternal ; only the laws by which it moves and by whick 

 it is governed are everlasting. 



