OP INFINITE SPACE. 83 



scrutiny, is the wonderful nebula in the constellation Orion. 

 I have had an opportunity of examining it. It is one of the 

 most curious objects in the whole heavens. It is not round, 

 and it throws off furious lights. This object has been sub- 

 jected to the examination of every instrument from the time 

 of Herschel, but it grew more and more mysterious, more 

 difficult to understand, more strange and diverse in its char- 

 acter. When Lord Ross's great telescope was directed to 

 its examination, it for a long time resisted its power. He 

 found it necessary to wait night after night and month 

 after month, until finally a favoring combination of circum- 

 stances gave to 'him a pure atmosphere. He directed his 

 telescope to the object, and lo ! its station revealed itself, the 

 stars of which it is composed, burst upon the sight for the 

 first time, and the problem was solved forever. Here is one 

 of the mightiest triumphs of this instrument, but it has 

 gone on from point to npint revealing combinations of stars 

 wonderful beyond what the imagination could conceive. " 

 New York Tribune. 



