Page:In the high heavens.djvu/36

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CHAPTER II.

THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF OTHER WORLDS.

BY the term world we mean, usually speaking, this globe on which we stand; but the merest glance at the sky through a telescope will show us that our world is only one of many worlds. Further reflection and study of other parts of the universe will convince us that among these other worlds there are many in different stages, so to speak, of their development. We may represent our earth, for instance, as a world in the maturity of its being, but there are others which exhibit different phases of progress. Some will appear as worlds which are to be regarded in extreme old age, while others again seem to be in an imperfect or immature condition.

Suppose that you came into a room and found a pitcher of water on the table. You placed your hand on the pitcher and you felt that the water was tepid. If you knew that the pitcher had stood there for an hour, you would be able to draw the conclusion that the water must