of new Nebulae andClufters of Stars, 21$. 
li cal view — Formation of Nebulae— Form 1 *.*’ It is to be re- 
marked that when I wrote the paragraph I refer to, I delineated 
nature as well as I do now; but, as I there gave only a general 
fketch, without referring to particular cafes, what I then de- 
livered may have been looked upon as little better than hypo- 
thetical reafoning, whereas in the prefent inftance this objec- 
tion is intirely removed, fince adlual and particular facts are 
brought to vouch for the truth of every inference. 
Having then eftablifhed that the clufters of ftars of the ift 
Form, and round nebulae, are of a fpherical figure, I think 
myfelf plainly authorized to conclude that they are thus formed 
by the aftion of central powers. To manifeft the validity of 
this inference, the figure of the earth may be given as an 
infiance ; whofe rotundity, fetting afide fmall deviations, the 
eaufes of which are well known, is without hefitation allowed 
to be a phenomenon decifively eftabliftiing a centripetal force. 
Nor do we ftand in need of the revolving Satellites of Jupiter, 
Saturn, a’nd the Georgiutn Sidus, to aflfure us that the fame 
powers are likewife lodged in the maffes of thefe planets. 
Their globular figure alone muft be admitted as a fuffieient 
argument to render this point uncontrovertible. We alfo ! 
apply this inference with equal propriety to the body of the 
fun, as well *as to that of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the 
Moon ; as owing their fpherical fhape to the fame caufe. And 
ho w can we avoid inferring, that the conftruftion of the clufters 
of ftars, and nebulae likewife, of which we have been fpeak-' 
ing, is as evidently owing to central powers ? 
Befides, the ftep that I here make in my inference is in fa£t 
a very eafy one, and fuch as ought freely to be granted. Have 
I not already (hewn that thefe clufters cannot have come to 
* Phil. Tranf. vol. LXXV, p. 214. 
their 
