os THE STARRY HEAVENS 427 
In some cases, moreover, nebulze seem to 
_be gradually condensing into groups of stars, 
and in many cases it is difficult to say whether 
we should consider a given group as a cluster 
of stars surrounded by nebulous matter or a 
gaseous nebula condensed here and there into 
stars. 
“Besides the single Sun,” says Proctor, 
“the universe contains groups and systems 
and streams of primary suns; there are 
galaxies of minor orbs; there are clustering 
stellar aggregations showing every variety of 
richness, of figure, and of distribution ; there 
are all the various forms of star cloudlets, 
resolvable and irresolvable, circular, elliptical, 
and spiral; and lastly, there are irregular 
masses of luminous gas clinging in fantastic 
-convolutions around stars and star systems. 
Nor is it unsafe to assert that other forms 
and varieties of structure will yet be dis- 
covered, or that hundreds more exist which 
we may never hope to recognise.” 
Nor is it only as regards the magnitude 
and distances of the heavenly bodies that we 
are lost in amazement and admiration. The 
