A. Hinrichs on the Density, Rotation, and Age of the Planets. 55 
accuracy than the immensity of space in the estimation of the 
distances of fixed stars and nebule. 
2d. The present configuration of the planetary system is with- 
out that harmony and order everywhere else observed when 
matter is aggregating (e. g. in crystals, etc.); we must therefore 
suppose, that the original harmonious configuration has been 
altered by the action of some general cause, displacing the celes- 
tial strata (orbs) according to the individual mass, size and posi- 
tion of each body; the same we know to have occurred in the 
case of the earth’s figure, being at first ellipsoidal, but now to 
some extent irregular—or the terrestrial strata of rocks, which 
were at first continuous, but are now greatly dislocated. 
3d. This cause has been and is the resistance of the ether filling 
the heavenly space in which the celestial globes are moving; for 
e mathematical investigation of the effects of such a resistance 
agrees perfectly with the phenomena observed, especially in the 
following particulars : 
4th. The configuration of the solar system is exactly as such a 
resistance would modify it; for, admitting a regular law for the 
primitive distances, we obtain a determination of the relative 
age of the planets which increases with the distance from the sun and 
is the more regular, the closer we follow the conditions of the 
problem (as in taking the mass into account) ; 
5th, Even the different satellites of Jupiter follow this same 
W; an 
6th, Whilst the Zunar world of Jupiter appears to be of about 
the same irregularity as the planetary world, 
7th, The lunar world of Saturn shows decidedly older (i. e. less 
regular) features, thus confirming the previously obtained result 
as to its age; it is even made evident that ; 
8th. This lunar world of Saturn in its present configuration 
Temarkably resembles the configuration of the whole planetary 
world at the end of the fourth age (i. e. according to our estimate, 
after 40,000,000,000 years); again, mee 
_ 9th, The lunar world of Uranus corresponds in its configura- 
tion to a yet higher age, thus again corroborating the determin- 
ation of its age. bats 
10th. The closeness of the orbits, and even the distance of the 
first secondary from its primary are according to the same law 
of resistance. 
llth. This age, as determined by resistance and confirmed by 
the observed configuration, exactly corresponds to that ascribed 
to the several bodies in the theory of Kant and Laplace; 
12th. The variation of the density of the planets 1s in complete 
harmony with this theory and the laws of resistance—the mini- 
© We tri ixty di ing in the successive enlargement 
of the aban tale A papper Ma ap variation of the age. 
