864 



DENSITY OF THE PLANETS. 



The original fluidity of the globe appears to be indicated by its 

 present spheroidal form ; and in the large planets that compose part 

 of our system, the spheroidal form is more fully displayed, particu- 

 larly in the planet Jupiter. Now it well deserves attention, that the 

 conditions under which this form was impressed on the earth and 

 planets, cannot recur again by any known causes now in operation, 

 or by any other conceivable cause, except the fiat of the Creator. 

 Thus we are brought, at once, to a commencement of the series of 

 geological changes, which could not have been the result of any se- 

 condary causes, that come within the limit of our present experience. 

 About a century ago, it was the fashion among philosophers to ex- 

 plain ail the phenomena of nature, even thunder and muscular ac- 

 tion, by the operation of known causes ; that is, by the established 

 laws of mechanics, and by chemical fermentation. The discoveries 

 of Franklin and others subsequently proved, that there were more 

 things in heaven and earth than had been dreamed of in past philos- 

 ophy. It would, indeed, be astonishing if, with our limited powers 

 and ephemeral existence, we have now discovered all the causes 

 that have effected changes in the former condition of the globe. 



" One part, one little part, we dimly scan 



Through the dark medium of life's feverish dream." 



The senses given us by the Creator, as the inlets of knowledge, 

 are sufficient for all the useful purposes of life on our planet ; but it 

 would be extremely rash to infer, that they are adequate to discover 

 or perceive all the properties of matter, or the changes these proper-i 

 ties can effect. Some material powers or agents cannot be made 

 perceptible to any of our senses, except by their effects ; such are 

 universal gravitation, magnetism, and crystalline polarity; and ages 

 had elapsed, before the existence or operation of such powers was 

 even suspected. If we extend our views to the planetary system, we 

 may discover a state of things which implies that the elementary mat- 

 ter of which the planets are composed, is essentially different from 

 terrestrial matter ; and the difference must be such, that it would re- 

 quire an organization and constitution of the inhabitants (if they be 

 inhabited,) altogether so unlike what we are acquainted with, that we 

 are as incapable of forming any distinct idea respecting them, as a 

 blind man is of forming an idea of colours. This may be clearly in- 

 ferred from the different density of the planets. The density of Sat- 

 urn is stated by astronomers to be about one tenth that of the earth, 

 or scarcely half the density of pure water. Most of the Saturnian 

 metals and minerals must be lighter than cork wood ; and no fluid 

 like water, can exist any where but in the centre of the planet. But 

 Saturn has an atmosphere and variable clouds or belts ; it must there- 

 fore have a fluid on its surface, that performs the functions of water; 

 yet this fluid must be chemically and essentially different from water, 

 or from any fluid on our earth. The properties of matter, and the 



