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directions, others in which the solitary appendage has shown 

 no sign of curvature, and some in which two appendages 

 have existed at the same time, but separated by a larger 

 angle than seems consistent with the meteorological theory. 

 These instances, however, form the small exception and not 

 the rule, and may, moreover, be explained as merely the 

 results of perspective. 



I think I have now said sufficient to enable those who 

 hear me to form an opinion as to whether the theory I have 

 propounded is or not likely to prove a satisfactory explana- 

 tion of some of the more striking of cometary phenomena. 

 The theory is one which, as I take it, explains more and 

 assumes less than is common with such theories. Besides 

 those I have already named, there are other points which I 

 conceive it fully to account for, but upon which it is quite 

 impossible for me to touch in the brief space to which I 

 feel I ought to confine my present remarks. There are 

 points upon which I am of opinion that the application of 

 quantities is practicable, and the theory itself I not only 

 believe to be true, but the truth of it I conceive to be capable 

 of numerical verification. To these and many other matters I 

 hope to invite your attention on some other occasion, if you 

 consider my present treatment of the subject as justifying 

 any further expenditure of your time. 



