6 
ASTRONOMY: G. F. BECKER 
points of inflection. Of course, the curve in the diagram represents 
only the axis of the baculum. Below the diagram is shown the Whirl- 
pool nebula^ for comparison, and evidently a diagram could be drawn 
representing the mathematical spiral clothed, so to speak, with irregu- 
larly disposed nebulous material which would add to its resemblance to 
the photograph. 
As noted above, even at the point of inflection the elongation of the 
original axis is in the ratio of \/3/2 or 1.22, while for points nearer the 
origin it is more than this. Unless, therefore, the original baculum 
were of extraordinary uniformity, this stretching combined with local 
partial attractions would break up the spiral into short curved frag- 
ments. Between the point of inflection and the origin such fragments, 
would present their concave sides to the origin. If any such fragment 
were to condense to a spheroid, the centre of the spheroid would be 
