224 On the Power which causes the Stellar Radiations. 



radiation alter the formation of tlic planets. The theory leaves 

 the solar system from its first creation in total darkness and 

 inconceivably cold. 



4. Mayer, the author of the meteoric theory, could not 

 account for the former fused condition of our globe, and its 

 present interior heat, by the fall of meteorites. He therefore 

 supposed that two opaque stars had collided to form our Earth 

 in a molten condition. Then he is bound to do the same with 

 the other planets. In each case two planets must have collided, 

 leaving the resulting planet in a nebulous state to form its 

 satellites by condensation. And, mirdbile dictu, all the colli- 

 sions must have been so nicely adjusted that the resulting 

 planets should rotate in the same direction on their axes, and 

 revolve in the same plane and in the same direction round the 

 sun, the same direction that the sun rotates, and nearly in the 

 solar equatorial plane. The chances against all this scheme of 

 collisions are infinite ; and therefore it is impossible. Mr. Croll's 

 theory is about the same. The sidereal systems are as orderly 

 as our solar system. Our own sidereal system is composed 

 chiefly of the ring of the galaxy, like the ring of the asteroids, 

 and like the rings of Saturn. The ring in Lyra, with other 

 sidereal rings, and other regular forms of sidereal systems, 

 shows the legitimate working of the nebular theory, but not 

 the chance collisions of wandering stars. 



5. Mr. Croll has to assume velocities for his colliding stars 

 such as could not have been produced by the force of gravity. 

 This is his own admission. But I have proved that gravity is 

 the force which in the beginning put all the heavens and the 

 earth in motion. No other force can be conceived to cause 

 the stellar velocities ; and that force is sufficient*. 



6. Mr. Croll's theory is, that originally all the stars were 

 dark and cold, and in the most rapid motion — far beyond the 

 velocities which could be produced by the force of gravity. 

 The collisions, he says, have stopped them and made them 

 shine : " The fixed stars are suns, and they are visible because 

 they have lost their motions." But the fixed stars have not 

 lost their motions. Every astronomer knows that they have 

 their "proper motions," velocities more rapid than those of 

 the planets. 61 Cygni moves nearly 2000, and Arcturus nearly 

 3000 miles per minute. 



7. There are sound reasons for believing that collisions 

 among the stars is an impossibility. I have proved that the 



* See ' The Origin of the Stars/ Triibner and Co., 1st London (from the 

 4th American) edition, and papers therein referred to ; also the article on 

 the Physical and Mathematical Principles of the Nebular Theory, in this 

 Journal for April 1877. 



