104 Mr. Henry Wilde on a 



By the like reasoning the radius vector of Mercury- 

 ought to be extended above the theoretic amount, whereas 

 the orbit has a difference less than Bode's numbers. But 

 Leverrier found that the perihelion of this planet increased 

 above that computed from the gravitation of the other 

 planets, and he attributed the anomalous increase to the 

 action of a planet, or group of small planets, between Mercury 

 and the Sun. It appears, however, much more probable 

 that this increase in the motion of the perihelion is caused 

 by Mercury revolving in a resisting medium, extending 

 some distance from the Sun, as suggested by other astro- 

 nomers, rather than from the action of one or more small 

 planetary bodies ; but either supposition is sufficient to 

 explain the permanent contraction of the radius vector of 

 Mercury in opposition to the attractions of the outer planets. 



Having shown the high degree of probability there is,. 

 that Bode's numbers are the expression of an exact law, 

 which has been modified by the mutual attractions of the 

 planetary bodies among themselves, and possibly to some 

 extent by the influence of a resisting medium ; and if, not- 

 withstanding the brilliant discoveries of the minor planets 

 and Neptune through the application of this law, it should 

 still be maintained that these numbers are arbitrary, the 

 most mechanical of computers will, I think, hardly consider 

 the series of minus differences shown in the table as 

 fortuitous, when taken in conjunction with the evidence 

 of law in the binary progression of the mean distances. 



In the law of the multiple proportions of the radii 

 vectores of the planetary orbits, shining forth amidst the 

 chaotic vortices of immensity, we have the primordial 

 expression of intelligent purpose in the universe revealed 

 directly to the mind of man, and destined hereafter to 

 become part of the broad cosmological foundation on which 

 the natural development of religious ideas will ultimately 

 rest. 



