On the Formation of the Universe. 131 



of ji fan. With the exception of these strata, and numerous 

 subordinate circular collections, the figures of the various 

 clusters seem to be wholly fortuitous. 



If the primitive rocks were precipitated from water, the 

 precipitation, according to all our experience on the sub- 

 ject, must have been gradual. At the time of such precipi- 

 tation the earth must have had a diurnal motion, because it 

 evidently partakes of the spheroidal form derived from such 

 motion, far below the general level of any rocks with which 

 we are acquainted. This motion, in connexion with the in- 

 fluence of the other bodies in the system, would produce a 

 disturbance in the water around the earth, similar to what 

 the tides now exhibit, but much greater in degree. The una- 

 voidable inequalities in the surface of the accumulating 

 rocks, M'ould subject them, at least in some degree, to tritu- 

 ration at the prominent parts, and to alluvial deposites in the 

 cavities. But no such deposites can be found. Besides, 

 from our knowledge of their constituent parts, we have every 

 reason to conclude, that many of them are not at all soluble 

 in water, whereas by heat and electricity they can all be 

 dissipated. There is, therefore, at least good reason to pre- 

 sume, that by these and other elastic agents they were once 

 separated, and came together either partially by the aid of 

 water, or wholly without it. 



In the process of the argument it will be necessary to 

 take several things for granted, of which the proof is cumu- 

 lative, or most appropriate in another place. Suppose the 

 component particles of the matter in the solar system to 

 have never come together, but to be mixed indiscriminate- 

 ly, and distributed by means of light and heat, in a flat 

 spheroid, having its greatest diameter some millions of miles 

 longer than that of Herschel's orbit, and revolving with such 

 rapidity as to throw off portions from its circumference. 

 As the heat and light abandoned it, its various parls would 

 condense either by explosion or sudden combustion, accor- 

 ding to the different forces of attraction among their compo- 

 nent particles. Suppose that by some means or other its 

 motion should be increased to such a degree, that by the 

 time it had shrunk to about midway between the orbits of 

 Saturn and Herschel, it would have thrown off from its cir- 

 cumference as much matter as is contained in Herschel and 

 its satellites. Suppose that its motion should be still in= 



