Nebular Theory. — Mistockles. 239 
It matters not. then, in what way a reaction in tlie move- 
ment of rotation would be caused. The simultaneous contrac- 
tion of the nebular matter, as the rotation decreased, would, 
in consequence of the fact that the force of gravity acted 
alike upon every component part of the gaseous body, be the 
same for every part and particle, and proportional to the 
weakening of the centrifugal force. 
In a heavenly body, the centripetal force is its spirit of 
gravity and its power of cohesion. The centrifugal force, on 
the other hand, is a mechanical result of the rotation of the 
same body, rience. since the first is the cause or ground" of 
the second, it follows, that the second cannot suspend the first 
either for a short or a longer period. To say that the centrifu- 
gal force, under these conditions, would be able to throw off 
rings from the nebula, is identical with saying that a man 
could stretch out his arm with such force that it would be 
severed from his body. In both cases, the fact is overlooked, 
that the mechaiiical and outward working power is dependent 
on the body's power of cohesion. 
But even, if, at this point, we would close our e\xs to the 
fact that a magnetic attraction cannot be suspended or re- 
duced by a mechanical power, we must at least admit, that 
the influence of the centrifugal force in the interior of the 
Earth, where it operates against the centripetal force, cannot 
be subjected to experiments or artificial presentations. Its in- 
fluence cannot be demonstrated in any other way than to pre- 
sent it as co-operating with the centripetal force, which is im- 
possible since everything on the earth's surface is dependent on 
the earth's attraction, from which follows that an artificial 
center of gravity, as a condition for the centripetal force, can- 
not be made. 
It is said that physicists have demonstrated by means of 
experiments, that a rotating nebula must develop and throw oflf 
rings, and hence that the assumption accepted and defended by 
the believers in the nebular theory is in accordance with the 
laws of nature. Xow this reasoning is not quite scientific. 
Any one, and especially a philosopher, ought to understand, 
that a demonstration of that kind demands that such an artifi- 
ciallv constructed nebula must possess a center of gravity and 
centripetal force in order to indicate by its rotation and cen- 
