On the Formation of the Universe. 135 



would be more and more rapid, both in tbeir angular and 

 real velocity. Therefore a body at r would strike P before, 

 and the general tendency of the matter in the vicinity of P 

 would be to commence its motion the wrong way. It is 

 necessary then to find some force sufficient to reverse the 

 motion. Suppose a body at m has an excess of velocity 

 above that of P, a little greater than what it would acquire 

 in falling to m, from a point a little above the point nearest 

 to b, in the circle of m's emission : it would evidently rise 

 and fall to the right. As the body is supposed to start from 

 points nearer and nearer to the centre of S, it would trace 

 out the curved line b n of projectile separation ; till the dif- 

 ference of angular velocity between P and the supposed 

 body, would be equal to the velocity acquired in falling from 

 near b to n, and then all the ejected matter on the left side 

 of S would pass over to the right towards P, or not pass at 

 all towards it. It is evident that all this excess of matter 

 passing to the right, would strike P or its outer hemisphere, 

 on account of its tendency to continue in a right line, and of 

 course the motion ofP on its axis, would be generally/ in the 

 same direction as in its orbit ; and if P should produce any 

 satellites, they also, both on their axes and in their orbits, 

 would revolve in the same direction. It will doubtless be 

 observed, that this, as well as the other demonstrations, 

 shews a want of exactness, which leaves the mind some- 

 what dissatisfied ; but it will also be observed, that as it 

 aims only to prove general truths, because no others are ne- 

 cessary, so it enables the mind to perceive those truths with 

 the utmost certainty. The first in the series of planetary 

 wheels would obviously be most liable to derangement in its 

 equator, because there would be nothing above it to aid in 

 regulating its position, whereas all the succeeding ones would 

 be more and more influenced by the solar wheel, and would 

 also be influenced by the planetary wheels above : so that 

 the plane of their equator would on that account be more 

 likely to approach the plane of the solar equator. 



It may be objected to this mode of formation, that it 

 would require an immense quantity of heat and light, which 

 would be of no use but merely to aid in forming the system, 

 while the energies of an intelligent spirit might supply its 

 place as well, and prevent this profusion of materials. But 

 it appears to be by no means certain, that such an abundance 



