198 Views on Prenebular Conditions. — A. Winchell. 
tablished. Huggins, Lockyer and others believe that some of 
the matter exists in a state of dissociation. At the same time, 
some of the nebulas, notably that in Orion, present also, a con- 
tinuous spectrum, as if matter existed in them in a condition 
different from gaseity, though Huggins cautiously suggests 
that under most favorable conditions the continuous spectrum 
may be found to consist of bright lines. The evidence as ob- 
served, however, is in accord with the presumption which may 
be offered on other grounds, that matter may exist, in aggrega- 
tions as vast as the nebulae, in all conceivable conditions — dis- 
sociated, gaseous, liquid, and solid ; luminous and non-lumin- 
ous. 
We once felt that in tracing the genealogy of our system to 
the nebulous condition of matter, we had attained what might 
fairly be denominated a beginning. But as the nebular theory be- 
comes less speculative, the speculative spirit is tempting science 
to inquiries about jyre-nebular conditions. If matter was not 
created in nebulae, they have had an antecedent history which 
it remains to disclose by observation and reasoning. If the 
data of science enable us to reason out antecedent conditions 
along a line of evolution, then we may rest in the sure con- 
viction that the nebula itself represents only an ulterior stage. 
Matter was not originated in nebulae. 
The discovery of the cosmic nature of meteorites through 
the researches of Newton, Schiaparelli, Oppolzer and others ; 
the establishment of the existence of meteoroidal swarms re- 
volving in orbits about the sun ; and especially the identifica- 
tion of the August and November swarms with certain comets^ 
furnished indications that comets generally are constituted of 
masses of matter analogous to those which reach the earth as 
meteorites. The present writer, as early as 1877, generalizing 
from the recognized facts of meteorites, announced in a public 
lecture reported in the daily papers of various cities, his theory 
of the universality of "cosmical dust," and its slow aggrega- 
tion into cometary and nebular masses.'" In a subsequent 
"The writer has given an elementary exposition of this chapter of 
science in "World-life," pp. 3-28. 
^"It is stated by Mr. Lockyer, that a similar theory was published by 
Prof. Tait in "Good Words" ; but of that the writer had no knowledge. 
The coincidence of views, if it exists, must be regarded as lending con- 
firmation to the theory. The late professor R. A. Proctor (in "Other 
Worlds than Ours," 1870) conceived of the growth of cosmic bodies 
"under the continued rain of meteoric matter;" but his purpose was 
