support in what would at first seem to militate against it--the
existence in our firmament of several thousands of solar systems, in
which there are more than one sun. These are called double and
triple stars. Some double stars, upon which careful observations
have been made, are found to have a regular revolutionary motion
round each other in ellipses. This kind of solar system has also
been observed in what appears to be its rudimental state, for there
are examples of nebulous stars containing two and three nuclei in
near association. At a certain point in the confluence of the matter
of these nebulous stars, they would all become involved in a common
revolutionary motion, linked inextricably with each other, though it
might be at sufficient distances to allow of each distinct centre
having afterwards its attendant planets. We have seen that the law
which causes rotation in the single solar masses, is exactly the same
which produces the familiar phenomenon of a small whirlpool or dimple
in the surface of a stream. Such dimples are not always single.
Upon the face of a river where there are various contending currents,
it may often be observed that two or more dimples are formed near
each other with more or less regularity. These fantastic eddies,
which the musing poet will sometimes watch abstractedly for an hour,
little thinking of the law which produces and connects them, are an
illustration of the wonders of binary and ternary solar systems.

The nebular hypothesis is, indeed, supported by so many ascertained
features of the celestial scenery, and by so many calculations of
exact science, that it is impossible for a candid mind to refrain
from giving it a cordial reception, if not to repose full reliance
upon it, even without seeking for it support of any other kind. Some
other support I trust yet to bring to it; but in the meantime,
assuming its truth, let us see what idea it gives of the constitution