164 



SCIENCE. 



In the monadology of Leibnitz, we find a reversion to 

 atomism under an ideal form. He considers the sub- 

 stance of the universe as an active force, represented by 

 monads. These, after the manner of atoms, are a dis- 

 tinct unity, unchangeable and indestructible. Contrary, 

 however, to atoms, which do not present any qualifying 

 diversity in themselves, monads are distinguishable one 

 from the other, each one personating, as it were, a dis- 

 tinct form. Moreover, atoms being capable of expansion, 

 can be regarded as separable, but monads cannot, be- 

 cause they are metaphysical conditions. And inasmuch 

 as metaphysical conditions, no matter how they unite, 

 can never go beyond a certain limit, Leibnitz denies the 

 objective reality of space, and looks upon it as a kind of 

 co-existence. 



But the most important part of his doctrine is the con- 

 ception he places upon the action of monads. Each one 

 has its peculiaV representation apart from the other 

 monads and consequently, the universe. All the ulterior 

 developments of the latter are therein portrayed, so that 

 in monads we may read the future. Such representative 

 power is not the same in all of them, however. Some, 

 monads of the lowest degree, have a confused representa- 

 tion which may be compared to vertigo or dreamless sleep ; 

 a condition in which representations are not wanting, 

 but being neutralized cannot attain consciousness. These 

 lower orders of monads represent the first link belonging 

 to the chain of existence, which is called inorganic nature, 

 and the bodies resulting from them may be likened to a 

 fish pond whose elements are alive while it is not. 



Occupying a higher grade, in the vegetable kingdom, 

 are monads in which representation acts as a formative 

 vital force, but always totally unconscious. Higher still, 

 in the animal world, monad life rises to sensations and 

 memory, and finally to reason and reflex action. How- 

 ever, let us repeat, in order that it may be well understood, 

 that the representative contents of the various orders of 

 monads do not differ, because each one, like God, re- 

 flects the entire universe (parvo in suo getter e dens J. The 

 difference lies solely in the clearness and perfection of the 

 representations. 



We will not linger here, however, that we may slowly 

 follow the ideas of Leibnitz in regard to the relations 

 existing between God and monads, or between them and 

 the soul by means of pre-established harmony. We will 

 merely observe that if we remove from monadology all 

 the purely imaginary elements with which it overflows, 

 there still remains something both novel and important 

 which is not to be met with in old atomical theories. 

 This novel determination consists in a peculiar active force 

 which each monad possesses internalty. It is a prior 

 intuition of pampsichism which being enriched moreover 

 by positive facts, can lead the way perhaps, to the greatest 

 reconciliation of which the human mind is capable. 



We find another reversion to atomism in the meta- 

 physics of John Frederick Herbart. We have already 

 seen his conception of absolute positiveness. However, 

 experience receives many suggestions from the pheno- 

 menal world, which is composed of manifold appearances. 

 And as every appearance insinuates a determined Reality, 

 the latter must be considered as a compound of several 

 single entities or monads, each one posessing different 

 qualities. The individual groups of these monads 

 are those which, working upon our senses, there produce 

 the representation of definite objects. We find a vast 

 difference between Herbart's conception and that of 

 Hegel; while the former considers Nature as a plurality, 

 the latter conceives it to be a unity. To one, absolute 

 positiveness is the Ideal, while for the other, on the con- 

 trary, it is Reality. 



But how can we reconcile the absolute condition of the 

 Real, the peculiar conservation of monads with the pheno- 

 menon of mutation. Herbart has recourse to accidental 

 perceptions and intelligible space. By accidental per- 

 ceptions, we mean the manifold relations which can pro- 



ceed from a single conception, according as it may be 

 compared with others, but, nevertheless, remaining always 

 unchanged. Thus, for example, a straight line can be 

 considered as a radius or as a tangent without changing 

 its position, just as a sound can be harmonious or dis- 

 cordant, according to the relation it bears towards other 

 tones. In the same way, in the grouping of various quali- 

 ties of monads, while on one side there is no change, on 

 the other there is a very perceptible one. By means of 

 intelligible space we may consider existence either as a 

 complex form or as an individuality. 



This theory, which in some ways closely resembles the 

 old atomic dogma, is far removed from it, inasmuch as 

 the monad or atom, according to Herbart, does not pos- 

 sess an impenetrable character. 



Looked at from a mathematical point of view, several 

 monads may coincide perfectly one with the other. Be- 

 tween the monad of Leibnitz and that of Herbart, there 

 is also a noteworthy difference, because the former con- 

 siders the internal condition as original and individual; 

 while with the latter it is wanting, if we consider a single 

 monad, but develops with the reciprocal relations between 

 the monads. 



We will finish with Herbart, our brief explanation of 

 atomism revealed upon a field of pure metaphysical spec- 

 ulation. On the other hand, a new dcctrine arises, an 

 experimental one, from which we shall see produced an 

 atomic theory, which is not the work of more or less arbi- 

 trary deductions, but the slow result and synthesis of a 

 multitude of positive facts. 



ASTRONOMY. 



SPECTRUM OF '* LALANDE 13412." 



We are indebted to Prof. Pickering for the following 

 note upon some observations recently made at Harvard 

 College Observatory ; 



" The Star Lalande 13412 has a very curious spect- 

 rum. It belongs to the same class as Oeltzen 17681 and 

 the three stars in Cygmis having bright lines. Besides 

 the yellow and blue bands, it has a marked line in the 

 green, which is faint, if not wanting, in the other stars. 

 It is also about a magnitude brighter than either of 

 them, so that it is the only object of the kind within 

 reach of small telescopes. Professor Young found Oelt- 

 zen 1 768 1 difficult with 9-inches aperture, while I dis- 

 covered this object with 4-inches aperture. The position 

 for 1880 is : 



R. A. 6 h . 49-3 m - 

 Dec. —23 47-' 



or about 15' north of o Cams Majoris. In winter this 

 star is conveniently observed when all the other stars of 

 this class are below the horizon. 



The same evening I found that the spectrum of a" 

 Puppis is banded. As the declination of this- star is 

 — 44>2°, this is probably the most southern object ever 

 usefully observed here. Its altitude at the time of ob- 

 servation was only about 2 ! " 



The Transit of Venus Commission established by the 

 French Academy of Sciences, has resumed its labors 

 under the presidency of M. Dumas. A credit has been 

 given by the Government for constructing new refractors. 

 Not less than twelve are now building, to be used on the 

 several stations which have been already selected, and 

 will be ready by the end of the year. The heads of tne 

 scientific missions will soon be appointed, as well as their 

 staff. The greater number of instruments built for the 

 1874 transit has been disposed of to several public insti- 

 tutions. — Nature. W. C. W. 



Washington, D. C, April 6, 1881. 



