G. Hinrichs on Planetology. 281 
from is greater than the effect of resistance, these ratios and the 
corresponding configuration would become permanent. It is 
not improbable that an analysis of the lunar system of Herschel’s 
planet will throw much light on the future configuration of the 
lar world by ascertaining the exact relation between perturba- 
_ tion incommensurable revolutions brought about by resistance 
and the continued influence of the latter force on such commen- 
surable motions. 
Though this latter question cannot at present be fully answered, 
we have proved in this paragraph that not only the general in- 
_ commensurability of the periodic times ensuring the stability of 
the system, but also the deviations therefrom are accounted for 
by our law (88). : 
we § 16. History of the Solar System. 
Believing that we have, in the preceding pages, brought forth 
_ Some further arguments in favor of the nebular hypothesis, we 
_ may be permitted in a very few words to sketch the grand his- 
_ tory of the material universe as it is seen in the light of this 
a theory. The philosophers of old called Man a Microcosmos— 
_ Wecompare the Universe, the Macrocosmos, to man, thereby in- 
_ {mating that as Man has a parentage, growth and decay, i. e., a 
slory, so has the Macrocosmos. 
‘ ‘The history of the material world may be divided into four 
_ Petiods or ages, corresponding to those given in a note to §6. 
4“ WWompare Guyot’s views in Dana’s Geology—chapter on “Cos- 
e ; sony r 
Tn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And 
the earth was without jorm and void, and darkness was upon the 
: m Of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face 
2 me Waters, (Genesis, i ip3 aad 
the material universe was created not in its present form, but 
| et form; it was void and dark ; but the spirit of G r- 
LS dacs it, and planned it such that his All-Foresight, or Provi- 
a really might also be manifest in the material world. Z'his is 
: meonceivable to mortal understanding. It is too awful, our 
: JY Mentions it at the beginning, and, to give fullness to his 
bs gh and adapt himself to our understanding, describes the 
— Wi 
det before been fully understood in their deepest sense. We 
“tee, the sequel keep constantly before our eyes both this, the 
dane History of the Cosmos, and science, deduced from the rev- 
"We have in the present form of nature. Od 
