68 THE BORDERLAND OF SCIENCE. 



once the intensity of the colour and its peculiar hue), 

 came from certain zones of the planet. Even these 

 zones seemed mottled, insomuch that we were prepared 

 to find that on a nearer approach their tint would be 

 found to result from a mixture of various colours. 

 But between them were zones quite differently tinted. 

 The actual aspect, of the planet maybe thus described ; 

 the great central zone, occupying the position of the 

 planet's equator, was of a bright yellow, so flecked with 

 spots of pure white that when we had been somewhat 

 farther away it had appeared almost perfectly white. 

 Then came on either side zones of a rich purple 

 flecked with yellow spots, between which were the 

 'burning cinnamon' bands already mentioned. But 

 the purple of the zones became more and more bluish 

 the farther the zones were from the equatorial belt. 

 Close by the north pole were several narrow zones of a 

 delicate blue ; and the pole itself was occupied by a 

 wide region of rich cobalt blue, flecked with purple 

 and olive-green spots. The southern polar regions were 

 as yet concealed from our view by the rings. There 

 was a symmetry and beauty in the whole aspect of the 

 planet which cannot be described. The rings added 

 largely to the effect ; they also presented a singularly 

 charming arrangement of colour. We could already 

 perceive that the outer ring was divided into two 

 distinct rings, and also by several circular gaps not 

 extending completely round, while the chief ring (the 

 second great ring inwards) appeared very singularly 

 striped by a series of dark concentric markings. Both 



