592 (April 18, 
Chase. ] 
41%. A Universal Want. 
° 
Blectricity is the form of force which is now, for many practical reasons, 
commanding general attention ; but its need of a more satisfactory and sys- 
tematic study of reciprocal and harmonic activities is no greater than we 
can find in many other fields of physical research, Ohm's law brings all 
electrical phenomena so directly within the realm of resistance that Max- 
well was inclined to regard electro-dynamics as more fundamental than 
thermo-dynamics. A. full consideration of the subject would require a 
knowledge of mathematical principles which are somewhat intricate. 
There are many facts, however, which are so simple and intelligible that 
they may be easily learned, and a knowledge of them may awaken an in- 
terest which will facilitate investigation in every possible field. 
418. Spheral Music. 
’ 
We have all heard of the ‘music of the spheres ;’’ how many of us 
understand the literal truth of the statement : 
“There’s not the smallest orb which thou behold’st, 
But in his motion like an angel sings.” 
The music of the spheres, as well as the music of the human voice, or 
of stringed or brazen instruments, is due to elasticity, which makes suc- 
cessive vibrations follow regular laws, so as to produce rhythmical and 
pleasing results. The beats of pendulums are governed by some of these 
harmonic laws and may be represented by harmonic formulas. The lumi- 
niferous eether, which is supposed to pervade all planetary and insterstel- 
lar spaces, and which Newton suggested as the possible storehouse of 
gravitation, should, on account of its enormous elasticity, furnish endless 
illustrations of faultless rhythm. 
419. Confirmation of the Hypothesis. 
We find, in accordance with the foregoing note, that the resistance of the 
gun to the interstellar vibrations of light produces a series of twenty- 
seven musical nodes, within the region in which solar attraction predomi- 
nates over the attraction of the stars. Nine of the nodes are between 
Mercury and the Sun ; nine are at points which account for the positions 
of the eight primary planets and of the asteroidal belt ; and nine are be- 
tween Neptune and the nearest of the fixed stars. The middle node of 
the middle nine, or the fourteenth node of the twenty-seven, is in the as- 
teroidal belt. These facts, which have been already given in previous 
notes, are repeated in this connection as indicative of the probability that 
the sthereal rotation extends much further than was intimated in Note 
414, and as giving the most stupendous evidence which has ever been pub- 
lished of the nodal tendencies to which reference is made in Note 411. 
