48 -^rt. 3.— K. Hirayauia : 



except near the commensurable points in wliicli the gaps are 

 found in the otlier portion. The positions of the condensations 

 and the numl>er of tlie asteroids are as follows: — 



If the distribution of the mean motions can be compared with the 

 spectrum, the portion with greater mean motions than 600" will 

 correspond to an absorption spectrum, and that with smaller mean 

 motions than 500" to an emission spectrum. The portion inter- 

 mediate between these portions may possibly belong to the former 

 class, although the character is not distinct owing to the scarcity of 

 the asteroids. 



59. That the eccentricity of the asteroids near the gaps is 

 smaller than its mean value was remarked by Prof. Brown.'-* To 

 verify this I have taken ten asteroids on each side of the gap and 

 computed the mean angle of eccentricity as follows: — 



1) Science, .Tan. 20, loll. 



