DIFFERENT SYSTEMS. 139 



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million of times larger than the Earth, and di- 

 ftant from Saturn a thoufand folar diameters, 

 we fhall find that 45 cyphers are fufficlent to 

 exprefs the number of cubic lines contained in 

 this fphere ; and, if we reduce each cubic line 

 into a thoufand million of atoms, no more than 

 54 cyphers will be neceflary to exprefs their 

 number: Of courfe, a man will be proportional- 

 ly greater, when compared with a fpermatic 

 worm of the fixth generation, than the fphere 

 of the univerfe when compared to the fmalleft 

 atom that can be feen with the affiftance of a 

 microfcope. But, if this calculation were carried 

 on to the i6th generation, the minutenefs would 

 exceed all powers of exprelhon. It is apparent, 

 therefore, that the probability of this hypothefis 

 vani(hes in proportion as the objed diminifhes. 

 This calculation applies equally to eggs as to 

 fpermatic worms ; and the want of probability 

 is common to both. It will, no doubt, be ob- 

 icdcd, that, as matter is infinitely divifible, this 

 gradual diminution of fize is not impoflible. 

 To this I reply, that all infinities, whether in 

 geometry or in arithmetic, are only mental ab- 

 ftradlions, and have no adual exiftence in Na- 

 ture. If the infinite divifibility of matter is to 

 be regarded as an abfolute infinite, it is eafy to 

 demonftrate, that, in this fenfe, it has no ex- 

 iftence; for, if we once fuppofethe fmalleft pof- 

 fible atom, by the very luppofition, this atom 

 muft be indivifible; becaufe, if it were divifible, 



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