Mr. P. E. Chase on the Cosmical Activity of Light, 253 



The I. theoretical column would imply a solar rotation in 25*02 

 days, which is very nearly the mean time of rotation of the sun- 

 spots; column II. gives 24*52 days — the assumed actual value 

 being Sporer's estimate for the solar equator, 24"57 days. 



The pendulum orbits may be referred to extremities, or to 

 centres of linear oscillation of primitive pendulums, as follows : — 



With a solar r extending to Sa's centre of oscillation, r, Sa, 

 Ur, Ne would represent the two extremities and the centres of 

 oscillation of a linear pendulum. 



Sun is at the centre of oscillation of one division of a pendulum, 

 of which Ma, Ju, Sa represent the centres of oscillation and an 

 extremity. 



Sun is at a centre of oscillation between Ea and Me. 



Ea is at a centre of oscillation between Ma and Ve. 



Ve is at a centre of oscillation between Ma and Me. 



The free extremity of the second pendulum is at a centre of 

 oscillation between Ve and Me. 



Each of the divisions of the first pendulum is equivalent to the 

 corresponding solar diameter ; and the pendulum-orbit is sym- 

 metrically divided in all directions from the centre. 



Combining these several results with the luminous and elec- 

 trical accordances which have been discovered by Weber and 

 Kohlrausch, Thomson, Maxwell, and Edlund, and with the che- 

 mical and other physical harmonics which I have pointed out 

 elsewhere, we may find a profound scientific truth in the doctrine 

 that the first act of creation was the divine command, "Let 

 there be light." 



According to some statements of the nebular hypothesis, if the 

 Sun (or a planet) were expanded until its surface should reach 

 each of the planets (or satellites) in succession, its time of rota- 

 tion in each position would coincide with the time of revolution 

 of the corresponding planet (or satellite). This would be true 

 of an atmosphere extending to the point where the equatorial, 

 centripetal, and centrifugal forces are equal ; but is that assump- 

 tion justifiable ? and does it lend any sanction to the nebular 

 rather than to the meteoric hypothesis ? 



Another common fallacy is the assumption that the ultimate 

 absorption of our system in the Sun would result in stagnation 

 and death. In our present ignorance of the constitution of 

 matter such a belief is unwarrantable. It is quite possible that 

 the equatorial velocity of rotation will ultimately surpass the ve- 

 locity of revolution. The mass might thus be dissipated, as a 

 condition precedent to renewed life and the formation of new 

 systems. 



Philadelphia, Pa., July 18/5. 



