SATURN. 217 



claimed that the western side was the widest ; but Schwabe and 

 the Roman observers considered the excentricity of the ball 

 rapidly variable in 1842 and 1843. 



It is one of the prettiest sights in the heavens to see the circle 

 of light girdling the ball, as it sweeps silently and swiftly across 

 the field of view. According to Professor E. R. Barnard's latest 

 micrometrical measures — the results of two years' observations — 

 the outer diameter of the outer ring was found to be equal to 

 172,310 English miles ; while the width of the A, B, and C rings, 

 Otto Struve's designation of the three principal rings, including 

 the divisions in them, represent 42,060 miles ; then comes the 

 space of 5,860 miles on either side of the ball, which, with the 

 latter measuring 76,470 miles across, equatorially, make up the 

 grand total as stated above. This unique and stupendous series 

 of bands of illuminated, and probably solid but separate particles, 

 baffled the scientific world for a long time. Prof. Clerk Maxwell 

 solved the problem mathematically by advancing the theory that 

 the rings were made up of myriads of meteoric bodies, each pur- 

 suing its own independent orbit around its centre. Professor 

 Keeler has since announced a variability in the velocity of different 

 parts of the rings, as disclosed with the aid of his spectroscope ; 

 and E. M. Antoniadi's recent observations further strengthens Prof. 

 Clerk Maxwell's deductions, for the latter gentleman claims to have 

 seen the outer edges of the A ring broken up, and showing whitish 

 areas, or markings. On the night of May 5th, 1896, with fine 

 definition, I also saw the outer edges of the A ring, similar to that 

 shown in my drawing, giving the appearance of being broken up 

 and fragmentary, and darker than the inner portion. 



It is thought quite possible that Mimas, the innermost satellite, 

 travelling at a distance of only 30,595 miles from the surface of 

 Saturn, may cause a variability in the velocities of the outer 

 members, or small bodies that constitute the ring system, and 

 some of these synchronising with the motion of Mimas, when near 

 to the place of the satellite, would create gaps, or intervals, of 

 varying distances, causing the fluctuating features suspected in that 

 section of the ring. The " B," or central, ring is the broadest and 

 brightest in the system, and E. M. Antoniadi has announced a new 

 division in it, with two fainter ones on either side. The " C," or 



