i88i.J 
The Evolution of the Spheres. 
12 7 
motions in the matter of space may be negatived by the 
reverse motions yielded by the spheres. Thus the force 
yielding adtion of the spheres exerts a double influence ad- 
verse to the formation of new aggregations of the matter of 
space. 
As to the dimensions of the original aggregations of matter 
it is impossible to decide. The solar system may be the 
result of a single nebular aggregation, or it may be a portion 
of a much greater astral aggregation. Its great separation 
in space from other solar systems is an argument in favour 
of the former ; and, as we have seen, its motion as a whole 
through space is no necessary proof of its gravitative con- 
nection with other solar systems. 
In fa6t the arguments here given tend to show that gravi- 
tation is local, not universal, and that, between the spheres 
of the whole of space, the repulsive just equal the attractive 
energies. From this possibility a somewhat striking deduc- 
tion arises. If our solar system has its free motion through 
space as a result of its mode of aggregation, and not from 
original connection with the surrounding systems, it is pro- 
bable that the general direction of internal motion in each 
of these systems may differ to some extent from that in the 
solar system, and that while some may be attractive, others 
may be repulsive in their influences. 
But the motion of our system is as likely to be towards a 
repelling as an attracting system. We may, therefore, safely 
question what would happen in the former case. Suppose 
two such systems to approach each other at the vast speed 
with which solar systems move through space. Whether 
moving direCtly together or not, their repelling energies 
would aCt with a rapidly increasing vigour as they came 
nearer together. And this repulsion must necessarily lessen 
their rapidity of motion, and might, in extreme cases, bring 
them to a dead halt. What would result ? Their lost 
motion of translation through space must fall back into 
their mass, and become heat vibration of their particles, the 
reversal of motion in one sphere being just balanced by the 
reversal of motion in the other. As their motion decreased, 
therefore, their temperature would increase, and this result, 
in extreme cases, might be sufficient to dissipate the two 
systems into their original vaporous state. In this hypo- 
thesis, then, we perceive one possible mode of disintegration 
of the spheres, an aCtion which may eventually influence 
every solar system of the universe, and thus cause an infi- 
nitely repeated process of integration and disintegration of 
spheral masses, instead of a single irreversible process of 
