KANT'S GAS THEORY. 323 
the universe gradually changed, by increasing refrigeration 
and condensation, into the fiery fluid or molten state of 
ageregation. By the process of condensation, a great 
quantity of heat was emitted, and the rotating suns, planets, 
and moons, soon changed into glowing balls of fire, like 
gigantic drops of melted metal, which emitted light and 
heat. By loss of heat, the melted mass on the surface of the 
fiery fluid ball became further condensed, and thus arose a 
thin, firm crust, which enclosed a fiery fluid nucleus. In all 
essential respects our mother earth probably did not differ 
from the other bodies of the universe. 
In view of the object of these pages, it will not be of 
especial interest to follow in detail the history of the natural 
creation of the universe, with its different solar and planet- 
ary systems, and to establish it mathematically by the dif- 
ferent astronomical and geological proofs. The outlines of it, 
which I have just mentioned, must be sufficient here, and 
for further details I refer to Kant’s* “General History of 
Nature and Theory of the Heavens.”* I will only add 
that this wonderful theory, which might be called the cosmo- 
logical gas theory, harmonizes with all the general series of 
phenomena at present known to us, and stands in no irre- 
concilable contradiction to any one of them. Moreover, it 
is purely mechanical or monistic, makes use exclusively of 
the inherent forces of eternal matter, and entirely excludes 
every supernatural process, every prearranged and conscious 
action of a personal Creator. Kant’s Cosmological Gas 
Theory consequently occupies a similar supreme position in 
Anorganology, especially in Geology, and forms the crown 
of our knowledge in that department, in the same 
*« Allgemeine Naturgeschichte und Theorie des Himmels ” 
