80 STATEMENT AND EXPOSITION OF 



and, from Table (B) again, we learn that the first of these component fractions 



expresses the inversion of an exterior half-planet ratio — , and that the second com- 



r'i 



ponent expresses the exterior half-planet ratio rl itself. So we have the value of 



Earth x Nevtime i j • - 1 rl • ^ i 



-— -^ resolved into x — =,agam, to 1. 



Mars X Uranus n 1 



The small differences from 1 (in the one way and the other) in the actual values 

 already quoted, are due to the slight increase in the value of the ratio ;• (and its 

 derivatives); as exhibited in our Ai-ticle (13). 



For the arrangement, otherwise, into the two " orders" here first quoted, there 

 is no very manifest reason ; and so it would seem to be merely artificial.]^ 



Summation of Coincidences. 



(110) In the summation of coincidences and the comparison of the same with 

 theoretical deductions, those will be first considered which have at various times 

 been indicated by commentators on the nebular hypothesis of Laplace, beginning 

 with those which M. Laplace has himself specified, and of which his hypothesis 

 was especially designed to furnish the explanation. 



1st. The motion of the planets in the same circular direction, and nearly in 

 the same plane. 



2d. The motions of the satellites, with few exceptions, in the same direction 

 with those of the planets. 



3fZ. The rotation of these different bodies and of the sun, also in that same cir- 

 cular direction, and in planes not much inclined to one another. 



Aili. The small eccentricity of the orbits of the planets. 



btli. The hypothesis accounts for the existence of comets in the solar system, 

 as well as the variety of inclination of their orbits ; also for the very great eccen- 

 tricity, and the change in the form of the same. See (34), and Note VII of the 

 Systeme du Monde. 



[M. Laplace's expansion and explanation of these five coincidences is exhibited 

 in our Articles (24) to (34) inclusive.] 



%th. The hypothesis accounts for Saturn's rings, (28), and that they also revolve 

 in the same circular direction with the planets and their satellites. 



Ith Asteroids as well as ordinary planets are provided for ; as is explained in 

 (29). 



8^^. The great heat of the sun and, possibly also, of some of the existing planets, 

 are facts in place. 



' Though it is also curious that we have, in both the instances in question, the product of the 

 expressions of white planet distances, divided by that of those which are not of that description ; 

 the reason for the classification of the planets in that respect even, having (99\ at least a quasi- 

 relation to the Ancient State of the system exhibited in Table (F), in C45) ; which is again related 

 (in the connexion in question) to the more recent arrangements exhibited in Table (B), in (14). 



