32 REPORT—1905. 
In the earlier part of my address I showed how theory indicates that 
a rotating fluid body will as it cools separate into two detached masses. 
Mathematicians have not yet been able to carry their analysis far enough 
to determine the relative magnitudes of the two parts, but as far as we 
can see the results point to the birth of a satellite whose mass is a con- 
siderable fraction of that of its parent. Accordingly See (who devotes 
his attention largely to the astronomy of double stars), Roberts, and others 
consider that what they have observed in the heavens is in agreement 
with the indications of theory. It thus appears that there is reason to 
hold that double stars have been generated by the division of primitive 
and more diffused single stars. 
But if this theory is correct we should expect the orbit of a double 
star to be approximately circular ; yet this is so far from being the case 
that the eccentricity of the orbits of many double stars exceeds by far 
any of the eccentricities in the solar system. Now See has pointed out 
that when two bodies of not very unequal masses revolve round one 
another in close proximity the conditions are such as to make tidal friction 
as efficient as possible in transforming the orbit. Hence we seem to see 
in tidal friction a cause which may have sufficed not only to separate 
the two component stars from one another, but also to render the orbit 
eccentric. 
I have thought it best to deal very briefly with stellar astronomy, in 
spite of the importance of the subject, because the direction of the changes 
in progress is in general too vague to admit of the formation of profitable 
theories. 
We have seen that it is possible to trace the solar system back to a 
primitive nebula with some degree of confidence, and that there is reason 
to believe that the stars in general have originated in the same manner. 
But such primitive nebule stand in as much need of explanation as their 
stellar offspring. Thus, even if we grant the exact truth of these theories, 
the advance towards an explanation of the universe remains miserably 
slight. Man is but a microscopic being relatively to astronomical space, 
and he lives on a puny planet circling round a star of inferior rank, 
Does it not then seem as futile to imagine that he can discover the origin 
and tendency of the universe as to expect a housefly to instruct us as to 
the theory of the motions of the planets? And yet, so long as he shall 
last, he will pursue his search, and will no doubt discover many wonderful 
things which are still hidden. We may indeed be amazed at all that man 
has been able to find out, but the immeasurable magnitude of the undis- 
covered will throughout all time remain to humble his pride. Our 
children’s children will still be gazing and marvelling at the starry 
heavens, but the riddle will never be read. 
