Chase.] t)U4: [-j^oy, 4^ 



actual distance, which is of the same order of magnitude as planetary 

 eccentricities. If this fact should be thought to diminish the probability 

 of a kinetic bond between the photodynamic paraboloid and the fixed 

 stars, it will be well to bear in mind the following considerations : 



1. If there is an all pervading interstellar medium, which is both ma- 

 terial and elastic, all its persistent oscillations must he cyclically harmonic 

 in some way or other. 



2. All such permanent oscillations must be dependent upon or associated 

 with permanent masses and velocities. 



3. The mass and velocity from which the paraboloidal abscissas were de- 

 duced, are the mass of the sun and the velocity of light. 



4. The coordinates indicate a solar motion in space, which is closely 

 accordant with Herschel's estimated velocity. (IsTote 112.) 



5. The abscissas locate regions of incipient subsidence, which account 

 for the formation of the several planetary belts, in accordance with Her- 

 schel's interpretation of the nebular hypothesis. 



6. The abscissas are manifoldly grouped, in ways that are phyllotacti- 

 cally and otherwise harmonically symmetrical, as might be looked for in 

 a medium like the supposed luminiferous aether. 



7. The last phyllotactic abscissa, Aag, is a fourth proportional to Sun's 

 radius, Laplace's limit, and the solar modulus of light. 



8. The paraboloid fixes Sun's position, relatively to some other import- 

 ant stars in the Milky Way. (Note 114.) 



9. These are the most far-reaching indications of an unbroken chain of 

 kinetic influences, that have ever been published. 



10. Being based upon the greatest mass and the greatest intercosmical 

 velocity of which we have any measurable knowledge, the law of par- 

 simony gives an a priori presumption that the chain may extend to other 

 masses of the same order of magnitude as the Sun. 



11. The next abscissa to the solar phyllotactic series, A33, is in the region 

 of the fixed stars, its locus being, within the limit of probable error, 

 (zb .25), the same as that of a Gentauri. 



12. The terminal locus is not only within, but far within, the limits 

 of probable error. Its accordance with « Gentauri may be exact ; it is 

 almost impossible that the deviation from precise accordance can be so 

 great as 8 per cent., and such a deviation could be easily explained 'bj 

 stellar orbital motions. 



13. The second stellar abscissa, A40, indicates a distance corresponding to 

 Bessel's estimate of the parallax of 61 Gygni. 



14. Whatever may be thought of the last three indications, the first ten 

 are plain, unmistakable and incontrovertible. 



156. Gorrelations of Planetary Mass and Distance. 



Stockwell closes the introduction to his "Memoir on the Secular Va- 

 riations of the Elements of the Orbits of the Eight Principal Planets," in 

 the following words : 



"The idea is thus suggested of the existence of a system of bodies in 



