Picture - Cosmic Polymath

14 DESIGN IN NATURE
The presence everywhere of electricity and electrical strain invests the new theory of matter with quite a
remarkable interest.
I know nothing in the whole range of physics more wonderful than the so-called spiral nebulae. They are now
known to occur in very large numbers, and to form right and left-handed symmetrical spirals, being composed of
two parts which wind within each other round a centre or nucleus, which consists of one or more stars with a
nebulous matrix. How stars and nebulous matter, in unlimited space, should arrange themselves in spiral wreaths
baffles comprehension They can only do so in accordance with certain laws which are the outcome of design.
When it is stated, as has been done, that similar spiral arrangements can be traced in large numbers in plants and
in animals, the mind is overwhelmed, and is, at first, inclined to withhold belief.^
The resemblance between the inorganic nebular spirals and the organic plant and animal spirals is in no sense
fanciful but founded upon the most convincing evidence. In proof of what is here stated I invite the reader to
compare the spiral nebula (Fig. 4 of Plate vii.) with the spiral flower (Fig. 13, p. 21) ; the spiral seed (Fig. 11, p. 20)
the spiral fruit (Plate xi.. Fig. 1, p. 25) ; the spiral spermatozoon (Plate xii.. Fig. 1, E, p. 27) ; the two spiral shells
(Plate xiii.. Fig. 1, F and G, p. 28) ; and the spiral apex of the mammalian heart (Plate xvii.. Fig. 3a, p. 32).
If proof were wanting of the intimate relations subsisting between the inorganic and organic kingdoms, and
of the unity of plan which pervades all nature, these remarkable coincidences in spiral formations are well calculated
to supply it.
The inorganic and organic spirals cannot, everything considered, be regarded as chance productions. They
undoubtedly owe their origin to the operation of a common law, and afford a striking proof of a First Cause.
The inorganic and organic kingdoms are constructed on similar lines. They are not opposed to each other.
On the contrary, they are interdependent, complemental, co-ordinated, and conditioned. They are made for each
other. No marvel, then, if plants and animals assume shapes and movements which are common in the heavenly
bodies. Endless examples of spiral structures and spiral movements are given further on.
I append photographs of the extraordinary nebular arrangements (Plates vii. and viii.). They transcend in
grandeur and beauty everything of the kind which has hitherto appeared. These arrangements, moreover, are extremely
suggestive in their bearing on movements in general, and on the movements in plants and animals in particular.
PLATE VII
Plate vii. shows actual photographs of nebulae and star clusters ; the upper two figures of the plate displaying
curves and spiral arrangements—the lower two figures astral nuclei with nebulous envelopes.
Fig. 1.—Photograph of star-cluster M. 13, Herculis, by Dr. Isaac Roberts, F.R.S. Dr. Roberta says, "The photograph shows the
stars in the central part of the cluster to be involved either in faint nebulosity or in atmospheric glare caused by the light o£ the stars,
and some of them appear to be deformed in outline because of the overlapping of two or more star images. The general configuration
of the stars is suggestive of their development from a spiral nebula. The forms of the convolutions still remain visible in the
arrangement of the stars, whilst the nebulous matter appears to have been absorbed, and the nuclear condensations at their centres
account for the dense. aggregations of stars."
Very beautiful spiral nebulte are figured in Plate viii.
Fitt. 2.—Photograph of Nebula ^ I., 143, Virginis, by Dr. Isaac Roberts, F.E.S. The photograph shows the nebula to resemble
somewhat the letter D with the curve in the n.p. direction, and a star of about the 1.5th magnitude in the centre, the interior being filled
with nebulosity of different densities, witliin which are five or si.\: star-like condensations. Dr. Roberts remarks that the nebulous
condensations resemble those invariably seen in spiral nebula3. (Photographs of Stars, Stai'-clusters, and Neluilse.)
Fig. 3.—Photograph of Annular Nebula M. 57, Lyr», by Dr. Isaac Roberts, F.R.S. Sir J. Herschel describes this nebula as
a magnificent object ; annular, bright, and con,siderably extended. There is no appearance of stars involved in the ring, but the s.f.
and n.p. sides are denser than the a.p. and n.f. ones. There is, as explained by Lord Rosse, an extension of faint nebulosity beyond the
margins at each end of the major axis. This nebula resembles, in a general way, the cell of a plant or animal, which consists of a
nucleus or central core, cell contents (protoplasm), and a cell wall or envelope. (Photographs of Stars, Star-clusters, and Nebulie.)
Fig. 4.—Photograph of Nebula M. 97, Ursaj Majoris, by Dr. Isaac Roberts, F.R.S. Lord Rosse compared this nebula to the face
of an owl, and was inclined to assign to it a spiral form. It has a star for its centi'e, and the neljulous envelope is concentrated at two
points and projects inwards as if preparatory to assuming the spiral shape. A two-fold spiral grouping is very well seen in Fig. 1
of Plate viii. (Photographs of Stars, Star-clusters, and Nebuloj.)
^ Some will no doubt endeavour to explain the marvellous spiral arrangements witnessed in nebulae to attractions and repulsions of various
kinds ; they will I'egard the phenomenon as of purely physical origin. Such an explanation, however, would, as I have endeavoured to show
be quite inadequate to explain similar spiral arrangements occurring in plants and animals Avhere no such attractions and repulsions can possiblv
be present.