rable
studies of Saturn. Meanwhile study the picture of it. The outer ring
is narrow, dark, showing hints of another division, sometimes more
evident than at others, as if it were in a state of flux. The inner,
or second, ring is much brighter, especially on the outer edge, and
shading off to the dusky edge next to the planet. There is no sign
of division into a third dusky innermost ring, as was plainly seen
by Bond. This, too, may be in a state of flux.

The markings of the planet are delicate, difficult of detection,
and are not like those stark zebra stripes that are so often
represented.

The distance between the planet and the second ring seems to be
diminished one-half since 1657, and this ring has doubled its breadth
in the same time. Some of this difference may be owing to our greater
telescopic power, enabling us to see the ring closer to the planet;
but in all probability the ring is closing in upon the central
body, and will touch it by A.D. 2150. Thus the whole ring must
ultimately fall upon the planet, instead of making a satellite.

We are anxious to learn the nature of such a ring. [Page 172]
Laplace mathematically demonstrated that it cannot be uniform and
solid, and survive. Professor Peirce showed it could not be fluid,
and continue. Then Professor Maxwell showed that it must be formed
of clouds of satellites too small to be seen individually, and too
near together for the spaces to be discerned, unless, perhaps, we
may except the inner dark ring, where they are not near enough to
make it positively luminous. Indeed, there is some evidence that the
meteoroids are far enough apart to make the ring partially
transparent.

We look forward to the opportunities for observation in 1882 with
the brightest hope that these difficult questions will be solved.

_Satellites of Saturn._

The first discovered satellite of Saturn seen by Huyghens was in
1655, and the last by the Bonds, father and son, of Cambridge,
in 1848. These are eight in number, and are named:

Distant from Saturn's centre.
I. Mimas 119,725 miles.
II. Enceladus 153,630 "
III. Tethys 190,225 "
IV. Dione 243,670 "
V. Rhea 340,320 "
VI. Titan 788,915 "
VII. Hyperion 954,160 "
VIII. Japetus 2,292,790 "

Titan can be seen by almost any telescope; I., II., and III., only
by the most