J. R. Mayer on Celestial Dynamics. 197 
If we express this view of Newton's in the language of the 
undulatory theory, which is now universally accepted, we obtain 
the results developed in the preceding pages. It is true that our 
theory does not accept a peculiar “substance” of light or of heat ; 
nevertheless, according to it, the radiation of light and heat eon- 
sists also in purely material processes, in a sogt of motion, in the 
vibrations of ponderable resisting substances. Quiescence is 
rkness and death; motion is light and life. 
An undulating motion proceeding from a point or a plane 
and excited in an unlimited medium, cannot be imagined apart 
from another simultaneous motion, a translation of the particles 
themselves ;* it therefore follows, not only from the emission, 
but also from the undulatory theory, that radiation continually 
diminishes the mass of the sun. Why, nevertheless, the mass of 
e sun does not really diminish has already been stated. 
The radiation of the sun is a centrifugal action equivalent to 
4 centripetal motion. 
The calorific effect of the centrifugal action of the sun can be 
found by direct observation; it amounts, according to Chap. ITI, 
M One minute to 12,650 millions of cubic miles of heat, or 5°17 
pellions of units of heat. In Chapter IV it has been shown 
one kilogram of the mass of an asteroid originates from 
275 to 55 millions of units of heat; the quantity of cosmical 
masses, therefore, which falls every minute into the sun amounts 
to from 94,000 to 188,000 billions of kilograms. 
To obtain this remarkable result, we made use of a method 
which is common in physical inquiries. Observation of the 
Moon’s motion reveals to us the external form of the earth. The 
Planet, just j 
whilst the pendulum has become a magic power in the hands of 
the Sees, enabling him to discover cavities in the bowels of 
earth. O 
the 
rmination of those cosmical masses which the sun receives 
a the space through which he sends forth his rays. 
Th 
centrifugal motion is perhaps the cause of the 
eomets when in the desighvurkbbeat of the sun, as observ 
repulsion of the tails on 
by Bessel. 
Jour. Scr.—Szconp Series, VoL. XXXVII, No. 110.—Manrox, 1864 
