464 Mr. E. V. Neale on the Numerical Relations of 



particles with each other,, and thus an additional expansive ten- 

 dency would be produced. 



If we suppose a number of centres of planetary aggregation to 

 be symmetrically distributed through a mass subjected to these 

 influences, the following results appear probable : — 



1. The outermost centre of aggregation might probably be 

 brought somewhat nearer to the common centre than the position 

 due to its symmetrical place. 



2. The succeeding centres would be thrown to a somewhat 

 greater distance than their normal places, through the rotatory 

 movement of the mass. 



3. On the other hand, these centres would be continually 

 urged nearer to the common centre by the pressures exerted upon 

 them through the matter arrested by them in its progress inwards ; 

 so that the more central bodies might probably be ultimately 

 found nearly in their original relative position in consequence of 

 the counteraction of these two forces. 



4. Any centres of aggregation so near to the general centre 

 as to be materially affected by the expansive force of the heat 

 there generated, may be expected to be repelled beyond their 

 normal position towards the exterior. 



The problem therefore becomes this : To find such an hypo- 

 thetical symmetrical arrangement of the primitive planetary 

 centres as will probably account for the present relations of dis- 

 tance observed among the planets after they have been subjected 

 to the influences above traced. Such an arrangement appears to 

 be supplied, if, taking the numbers 2 and 3 for the basis of the 

 system, we suppose that the relative positions of the inner and 

 outer groups of planets were originally determined by the respec- 

 tive series following : — 



I. Innergroup . . 2; 2x3; 2x6; 2x12. 

 II. Outer group . . 24; 24x3; 24 x 6 24x12. 

 The normal distances of the several planets on this hypothesis, 

 with the changes produced in them by the process of consolida- 

 tion, are shown in the following Table : — 







Theoretical 

 distances. 



Actual 

 distances. 



Differences. 





Amount. 



Proportion. 



1. 



Sri 

 1— 1 



r Mercury 



2 



2x 3 

 2x 6 

 2x12 



3-36 



513 



11-37 



22-83 



+ 136 

 -0-87 

 -0-63 

 -117 



+•680 

 -•145 

 -052 

 -•048 



Venus 



Earth 



Mars 



Juno 





© 



S-i 



o 



("Juno 



24 



24 X 3 

 24x 6 

 24x12 



25-33 



68-69 

 16512 

 273-67 



+ 1-33 

 - 3-31 

 +2112 

 -14-33 



+•055 

 -•045 

 +•146 

 -049 



Jupiter 





Uranus 



Neptune 





