THE SOLAR SYSTEM IN A BLAZE. 



.39 



Fig. 11. Comparative volume of the earth in the gaseous and solid state. 

 A. The earth in its present condition. B. The volume of the earth when an 

 neous vapor. 



We dare go no farther ; we can go no farther. If sci- 

 ence leads us here, she deserts us at this point, and leaves 



created the heaven and the earth ; and the earth was without form, and 

 void." These interesting utterances will be further considered in another 

 work. A primordial condition of things seems to have been a favorite 

 conception of the ancient philosophers and poets. What a consistent pic- 

 ture is given by Ovid in the "Metamorphoses:" 



"Ante, mare et tellus, et quod tegit omnia coelum, 

 Unus erat toto Naturae vultns in orbe, 

 Quem dixere chaos; rudis indigestaque moles: 

 Nee quidquam, nisi pondus iners; congestaque eodem 

 Non beue junctarum discordia semiua rerum. 

 Nullus adhuc mundo prsebebat lumina Titan : 

 Nee nova crescendo reparabat cornua Phoebe; 

 Nee circumfuso pendebat in aere tellus 

 Ponderibus librata suis; nee brachia longo 

 Margine terrarum porrexerat Amphitrite. 

 Quaque fait tellus, illic et pontus et aer ; 

 Sic erat instabilis tellus, innabilis unda ; 

 Lucis e?ens aer; nulli sua forma manebat." 



