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204 ); others running off in hyperbolic orbits, to visit other systems in the immensity of space. Most of us come, in fact, into this solar system from parts of the universe extending to enormous distances beyond its limits, and after approaching more or less near to the sun, start off again on our journey to distances not less remote. I may, perhaps, be permitted here to observe that, with all due deference to M. Babinet, and his somewhat contemptuous opinion of us and our uses, I can safely affirm that we subserve some better and higher purpose in the great economy of the universe than enabling your astronomers to verify certain natural laws, and to pry into the mysteries of heaven. You will not, of course, expect me to tell you what these purposes may happen to be—depend upon it, you will find this out all in good time, by the unaided efforts of that marvellous intelligence with which it has pleased the Almighty to endow you. This much, however, you may take for granted even now, that we serve as means of communication between system and system. May it not be, also, that we serve to gather in our path the detritus of old worlds, to be moulded hereafter into new