130 
The Evolution of the Spheres. 
[March, 
movements of vibration. Besides all this energy of mole- 
cules as wholes, every molecule or atom is amass of minuter 
elements, which very probably possess a rapid centripetal 
moving energy. The matter of space, therefore, if reduced 
to a condition of complete disintegration, would possess 
individual movements of almost inconceivable rapidity. A 
large percentage of this original motion still exists in 
spheres, though it is curbed and controlled in direction by 
the various specializations to which it is subject, and is 
very largely centralized by centripetal energy, and thus fails 
to make itself outwardly apparent. 
That the matter of space was ever completely disinte- 
grated seems impossible, from the above considerations. 
More likely there has been incessant integration and dis- 
integration through the influences here specified, so that 
the existing condition of the universe indicates its eternal 
condition. 
The argument here advanced may lead some readers to 
the idea of possible future catastrophes. It may be 
imagined that our premises require sudden changes from a 
condensed to a nebulous condition in the spheres. Yet no 
such necessity exists. If the motion of our solar system 
were directed towards its nearest neighbour in space it 
would need one million years to reach it, at the present rate 
of speed. It is really directed towards orbs which it must 
take many millions of years to reach. If now the influence 
of these orbs were repulsive, there would be an exceedingly 
gradual diminution of the motion of our system, and as 
gradual an augmentation of its heat. Yet this augmenta- 
tion, being internal as well as external, could not radiate, 
as fast as produced, into space, and must therefore greatly 
increase the heat energies of the sun and planets, even if 
insufficient to reduce them to their original gaseous state. 
In the contrary case, of two attractive systems ap- 
proaching, it is almost infinitely improbable that they would 
move direCtly towards each other : therefore they would be 
very unlikely to come into aCtual collision, but would curve 
around each other as a comet curves around the sun. The 
internal refrigeration caused by their great enhancement of 
speed in approaching would be succeeded by a regaining 
of their lost temperature, through decrease of speed in 
separating. 
Thus the idea that the existing mode of evolution in the 
solar system must be continuous, and lead to a final loss of 
all the aCtive energy of the spheres, is based on a view that 
embraces our system only, and leaves out of sight its 
