Theories of Creation and the Universe [pp. 177-194]

178 THEORIES OF CREATION AND THE UNIVERSE.
from the same influences which started its primary. This planet, in
its turn, throws off other rings, which by a similar process are transformed into revolving bodies, in the character of satellites.
This is a brief statement of the cosmogony adopted by La Place,
or more properly, his speculations, in which the nebular nypothesis
performed so important a part. Our author has adopted the same
hypothesis; making it the foundation of his extravagant speculations
concerning the creation of animate and inanimate matter; differing
from those of La Place more in the boldness with which they are
stated, than in fact.
The "Vestiges"* assumes the fact of the existence of nebula; and
that originally it filled the space that its detached parts now occupy.
"TI'his leads us," the author says, "at once to the conclusion, that
the whole of our firmament was at one time a diffu.~ed mass of
nebulous matter, extending through the space it still occupies. So
also, of course, must have been the other astral systems. Indeed we
must presume the whole to have been originally in one connected
mass, the astral systems being only the first division into parts and
solar systems the second." Then, allowing himself the benefit of a
supposition, as to the peculiarity in its constitution enabling it to
form its own nucleus, he discovers the influence prodlucing the aggregation of the molecules, in the attracting power of tile nucleus,
and accounts for its rotary motion, by that " well-known law in
physics; that when fluid matter collects toward or meets in a centre,
it establishes a rotary motion:" as, in the whirlpool and whirlwind.
Rotary motion once established, centrifugal force naturally results,
from " the tendency to fling off its outer portions." And this, when
in full operation, throws off the external molecules in the form of a
ring around the primary-this ring is broken by some imaginary influence; and the particles gathering round a nucleus in tile form of
a spheroid, constitute the most distant and first-born of our solar
system.
The existence of the material (nebula), and of the laws destined to
mould it into worlds, being established, the foundation of the hypothesis is fairly laid. Our attention is nowv turned to the appearances
of the planets and satellites-their distances, densities and mnotionsas evidences confirming the theory of their creation. The great
nebulous mass has commenced its motion, arnd is fully un(ler the various influences which are to change its character, and divi(le it into
a family of inhabitable worlds. But this division is to be efihcte(l by
influences which must necessarily act uniformly and rcegularly. This
supposed mass, by some " peculiarity in its constitution," forms a
nucleus, and its molecules, soliditfying and contracting under the influence of radiation, produce rotary motion. "At length when the
central mass reaches a certain point or stage (determined by some
unknown law) in its advance toward solidification, a separation takes
place (by virtue of the centrifugal force), and the crust becomes a
detached ring."
The first planet thrown off must necessarily be the largest and
least compact, as well as the most remote member of the system. As
the mass continues to contract an(l solidify, the second planet must
* The Vestiges of Creation with a Sequel-last edition.