EXPLOniNG .NATURALISTS. 131 



that such a planet was ever observed. Now if five small planets have 

 served for thousands of years to supply the chasm in the planetary dis- 

 tances, there seems to be no necessity whatever for supposing thut ihey 

 have not done so since the system was first arranged by the Creator. 



The new planets are found to have atmospheres of great height and 

 density. But is it not absurd to suppose that in the event of the explo- 

 sion of a planet with a force sufficient to hurl its parts ybr/?/ millions of 

 miles asunder^ these fragments should be respectively attended by a por- 

 tion of the atmosphere of the original body ? 



It is remarked that the space through which the new planets revolve, 

 separates the solar system into two distinct sets of bodies, in each of 

 which is found a striking resemblance. Mercury, Venus, the Earth, and 

 Blars, are nearly of the same density;* they are not very diiierent in 

 magnitude \ and their diurnal rotations are performed in nearly equal 

 times. The major planets, on the other hand, have an average density 

 of less than | that of the minor planets being 1, they have all a num- 

 ber of satellites; finally Jupiter and Saturn, i^and it is thought Hcrscliel 

 also,) revolve on their axis in nearly equal times \ the angular velo- 

 city of their diurnal motion being more than twice that of the minor 

 planets. 



EXPLOKING NATURALISTS. KO. If. 



It has become of late years a common resource, with the learned 

 societies in Europe, to employ and pay scientific collectors, through 

 whose skill, science, and industry, they furnish their great museums of 

 Natural History. Out of the residuary parcels of duplicates, many pri- 

 vate cabinets become enriched. 



In the spring of 1832, there embarked at Baltimore for Charleston, 

 a Prussian botanist, Carl Beyrich, whose errand was of the description 

 above named. He was of middle stature, usually walked somewhat bent 

 forward, with a dreamy inquisitive attitude, thin in feature, eyes easily 

 lighted up, and made to glow with pleasure, a hooked nose, betraying 

 his great courage and perseverance ; but he was evidently in bad health, 

 asthma having for a long time seriously impaired the happiness of his 

 existence. We saw him for the first time as he descended the cabin of 

 a Charleston sailing packet, in company with a scientific friend, also a 

 botanist of some repute, at that time in Baltimore, IMr. Dickehut, who 

 was considerately and hospitably intent upon lurnishing him, witli every 



* Professor Encke, of IJerlin, tliiiiks the density of Mercury less than one-half 

 of ihat estimated bv L^irranse. See his letter to iMr. .■\irv. duted Dec. ISII. 



