THE SURFACE OF THE GLOBE. 31 



to congregate materials wherewith to form mollusca and zoophytes, 

 which would soon deposit on these foundations immense masses of 

 their shells or corals. We even see the first productions of these 

 mollusca, of these zoophytes, showing themselves in small numbers, 

 at intervals, amongst the latest layers of these primitive earths, or in 



less brilliant. We arrive," Laplace says, " in this manner at a nebulosity so diffuse, 

 that its existence could scarcely be suspected." 



" Such is," he adds, " in fact the first state of the nebula which Herschel carefully 

 observed by means of his powerful telescopes. He traced the progress of condensa- 

 tion, not indeed on one nebula, for this progress can only become perceptible to us 

 in the course of centuries, but in the assemblage of nebula?, much in the same man- 

 ner as large, we may trace the growth of trees among the examples of different ages 

 which stand side by side. He saw in the first place the nebulous matter dispersed in 

 patches in the different parts of the sky. He saw in some of these patches this mat- 

 ter feebly condensed round one or more faint nuclei. In other nebulae these nuclei 

 were brighter in proportion to the surrounding nebulosity. When by a further con- 

 densation the atmosphere of each nucleus becomes separated from the others, there- 

 suit is multiple nebulous stars formed by brilliant nuclei very near each other, and 

 each surrounded by an atmosphere ; sometimes the nebulous matter condensing in a 

 uniform manner has produced nebulous systems which are called planetary. Finally, 

 a still greater degree of condensation transforms all the nebulous systems into stars. 

 The nebulae classed aceording to this philosophical view indicate with extreme pro- 

 bability their future transformation into stars, and the anterior nebulous condition of 

 the stars which now exist." 



It would seem, then, that the most elevated point to which this series of suppo- 

 sitions can conduct us is, "an extremely diffuse nebulosity," accompanied, we may 

 suppose, by a far greater degree of heat than that which, at a later time of the 

 hypothetical process, keeps all the materials of our earth and planets in a state of 

 fume. New, is it not impossible to avoid asking, whence was this light, this heat, 

 this diffusion ? How came the laws which such a state implies to be already in 

 existence ? Whether light and beat bring forth their effects by means of fluid 

 vehicles or otherwise, they have complex and varied laws which show the 

 existence of some acute machinery for their action ? When and how was this 

 machinery constructed ? whence, too, that great dilating power which the nebu- 

 lous matter is supposed to possess ? And if, as would seem to be thought in 

 this doctrine, all the material ingredients of the earth existed in this copious 

 nebulosity, either in the state of vapour, or in some state of still greater 

 expansion, when were they and their properties, how came there to be of each simple 

 substance which now enters into the composition of the universe just so much and 

 no more ? Do we not far more than ever need an origin of this source ? an expla- 

 nation of this explanation ? Whatever maybe the merits of the opinion as a physical 

 hypothesis, with which we do not here attempt to interfere, can it for one moment 

 prevent our looking beyond the hypothesis, to a first cause, an intelligent Author, 

 an origin proceeding from free volition, not from material necessity. 



But agaiu : let us ascend to the most prominent point of the hypothetical progres- 

 sion : let us imagine the nebulosity diffused throughout all space, so that its course 

 of running into patches is not yet begun. How are we to suppose it distributed ? 

 Is it equally diffused in every part ? Certainly not ; for if it were so, what should 

 cause it to gather into masses, so different in size, form, and arrangement ? The 

 separation of the nebulous matter into distinct nebulae implies, as a matter of course, 

 some primitive inequality of distribution, some determining circumstances in its 

 original condition. Whence were these circumstances ? this inequality ? We are 

 still compelled to seek some ulterior agency and power. 



Why must the original condition be of one change at all ? Why should not the 

 nebulous matter be equally diffused throughout space, and continue for ever in its 

 state of equable diffusion, as it must do, from the absence of all cause to determine 

 the time and manner of its separation? Why should this nebulous matter grow 

 cooler and cooler ? Why should it not continue for ever in the same degree of heat, 



