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THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



Figure 2. The great Nebula of Orion. 



and when this was done the results found 

 were most surprising.. For it then ap- 

 peared that all the little portions were 

 moving with different speeds : of two re- 

 gions very near together, one might be 

 moving' toward or away from us eight or 

 ten miles per second faster than the other. 

 In other words, instead of the nebula 

 being a great, still mass of nearly quies- 

 cent gases, the entire cloud is violently 

 sursing; and streaming in a most com- 



plicated manner. Without doubt observa- 

 tions upon this wonderful object will be 

 industriously continued and multiplied 

 during the next few years. Possibly our 

 at present very imperfect, knowledge of 

 the true nature of g'laseous nebulas may 

 soon be very greatly extended. If so, a 

 new light may be thrown, nut only upon 

 these objects, but also on the nature of 

 new stars, and ui:)on many other diffictdt 

 r.T.tters in astronomy. 



