The origin of suns. 



Passing from the theory of the origin of planets I 

 have only to consider now the theory of the origin of 

 suns, after which we shall have before us the entire 

 scheme of cosmic life and action 



If our sun were a vegetable growth, a product of our 

 Flora, it would be easy to prove its vitality, because 

 in vegetable growths the sexes are united in a single 

 specimen; but the sun lacks the chief mark of a vege- 

 table growth, it has no root attached to foreign soil. 

 Moreover its spherical shape renders it essentially unfitted 

 for attachment, and it moves freely in the gaseous envi- 

 ronment which astronomers name ether, but which I 

 believe to be oxo-hydrogen. 



We must take it then that our sun is an animal 

 organism, and as animal species are propagated by copu- 

 lalion of individuals of different sexes, our sun is itself 

 the result of such a union. The planets as they approach 

 perfection, are removed farther and farther from the sun, 

 and there perfection seems to consist of increase in bulk 

 and desiccation. I have said nothing until now of the 

 process of desiccation because in subsequent chapters 

 upon our earth I have devoted an entire section to this 

 subject. The size of planets is increased by assimilation 

 of cosmic matter, and as their planetary service to their 

 sun continues right up to the time when they pass beyond 

 the orbit of solar influence (which influence we must 

 bear in mind is inversely proportional to the square of 

 the distance) these planets as they increase this distance 

 begin to subdue and attract the asteroids which meet 



