62 



than on earth, so that in the 24 hours of our day those 

 planets must experience 25 and 45 tides. 



In the nature of the heavenly orbs all the phenomena 

 take place calmly and in established order; and we can 

 study them at our leisure. In the phenomenon of the 

 sea tides, the flood tide is always accompanied by tidal 

 waves. Under existing conditions these risings of the 

 water being gradual and quiet do no harm, and threaten 

 no dangers either to mariners on the water or to 

 dwellers on the shore ; but if they occurred 25 or 45 times 

 a day, the sea would become a seething cauldron upon 

 the surface of which no ship could float, and in the 

 waters of which no fish could live. And such destruc- 

 tive phenomena on Jupiter and Saturn, in consequence 

 of their greater size, would be more awful than on earth. 



