12 



THE BODIES OP SPACE* 



under this process, might, by virtue of the greater solidity 

 thence acquired, begin to present some resistance to the 

 attractive force. As the solidification proceeded, this 

 resistance would become greater, though there would still 

 be a tendency to adhere. Meanwhile, the condensation 

 of the central mass would be going on, tending to produce 

 a separation from what may now be termed the solidify- 

 ing crust. During the contention between the attractions 

 of these two bodies, or parts of one body, there would 

 probably be a ring of attenuation between the mass and 

 its crust. At length when the central mass had reached 

 a certain stage in its advance towards solidification, a se- 

 paration would take place, and the crust would become a 

 detached ring. It is clear, of course, that some law pre- 

 siding over the refrigeration of heated gaseous bodies 

 would determine the stages at which rings were thus 

 formed and detached. We do not know any such law 

 but what we have seen assures us it is one observing, and 

 reducible to, mathematical formula. 



If these rings consisted of matter nearly uniform 

 throughout, they would probably continue each in its ori- 

 ginal form ; but there are many chances against their be- 

 ing uniform in constitution. The unavoidable effects of 

 irregularity in their constitution would be to cause them 

 to gather towards centres of superior solidity, by which the 

 annular form would, of course,. be destroyed. The ring 

 would, in short, break into several masses the largest of 

 which would be likely to attract the lesser into itself. 

 The whole mass would then necessarily settle into a sphe- 

 rical form by virtue of the law of gravitation ; in short, 

 would then become a planet revolving round the sun. 

 Its rotatory motion would, of course, continue, and satel- 

 lites might then be thrown off in turn from its body in 

 exactly the same way as the primary planets had been 

 thrown off from the sun. The rule, if I can be allowed 

 so to call it, receives a striking support from what appears 

 to be its exceptions. While there are many chances 

 against the matter of the rings being sufficiently equable 

 to remain in the annular form till they were consolidated, 

 it might nevertheless be- otherwise in, some insfances; 

 that is to say, the equableness might, in those instances, 

 be sufficiently great. Such was probably the case with 

 the two rings around the body of Saturn, which remain a 

 living picture of the arrangement, if not the condition, in 



