NATURAL HISTORY OF CREATIOX. 21 



we have seen assures us it is one observing and reducible 

 to mathematical formuhe. 



If these rings consisted of matter nearly uniform 

 throughout, they would probably continue each in its 

 original form ; but there are many chances against their 

 being uniform in constitution. The unavoidable eliects 

 of irregularity in their constitution would be to cause 

 them to gatlier towards centres of superior solidity, by 

 Avhich the annular form would, of course, be destroyed. 

 The ring would, in short, break into several masses, the 

 largest of wliich would be likely to attract the lesser 

 into itself. The whole mass would then necessarily 

 settle into a spherical form l\y virtue of the law of 

 gravitation ; in short, would then become a planet re- 

 volving round the sun. Its rotatory motion would, of 

 course, continue, and satellites might then be thrown ort" 

 in turn from its body in exactly the same way as the 

 primary planets had been thrown off from the sun. The 

 rule, if I can be allowed so to call it, receives a striking 

 support from what appear to be its excejitions. While 

 there are many chances against the matter of the rings 

 being sufficiently equable to remain in the ainiular form 

 till they were consolidated, it might nevertheless be 

 otherwise in some instances ; that is to say, the equable- 

 ness might, in those instances, be sutHciently grent. 

 Huch Wiis probably the case with the two rings around 

 the body of Saturn, which remain a living picture of the 

 arrangement, if not the condition, in which all tli<-' 

 planetary masses at one time stood. It may also be 

 admitted that, when a ring broke up, it was possible 

 that the fragments might spherify separately. Such 

 seems to be the actual history of the ring between 

 Jupiter and Mars, in whose place we now find four 

 planets much beneath the smallest of the rest in size, 



