as failed to condense into one body, perhaps through its
uniformity or thinness. The separation of so big a mass as Jupiter might
well attenuate the border."

"If the planetoids were born of a single small ring, might not several
planets be condensed from a large one?"

"I see nothing to hinder it. A large ring might split into smaller
rings, or condense in several centres."

"Because it seems to me that might explain the distinction between the
inner and the outer planets. Perhaps the outer were first thrown off in
one immense ring, and then the inner in a smaller ring. Before
separation the nebula viewed edgewise might resemble your Indian club."

"A 'dumb-bell nebula,' like those we find in the heavens," observed
Gazen. "Be that as it may, the rings would collect into balls, and some
of these, especially the outer, would cast off rings which would
condense into moons, always excepting the rings of Saturn, which, like
the planetoids, are evidently a failure. The solar system would then
appear as a group of suns, a cluster of stars, in short, a
constellation. Each would be what we call a 'nebulous star,' not unlike
the sun at present; that is to say, it would be surrounded by a glowing
atmosphere of vapours, and perhaps meteoric matter. Under the action of
gravity, centrifugal force, and tidal retardation, their orbits would
become more circular, they would gradually move further apart, rotate
more slowly on their axes, and assume the shapes they have now. In
cooling down, new chemical compounds, and probably elements would be
formed, since the so-called elements are perhaps mere combinations of a
primordial substance which have been produced at various temperatures.
The heavier elements, such as platinum, gold, and iron, would sink
towards the core; and the lighter, such as carbon, silicon, oxygen,
nitrogen, and hydrogen, would rise towards the surface. A crust would
form, and portions of it breaking in or bursting out together with
eruptions and floods of molten lava, would disturb the poise of the
planet, and give rise to inequalities of surface, to continents, and
mountains. When the crust was sufficiently stable, sound, and cool, the
mists and clouds would condense into rivers, lakes, or seas, and the
atmosphere would become clear. In due course life would make its
appearance."

"Can you account for that mystery?"

"No. Science is bound in honour, no doubt, to explain all it can without
calling in a special