80 



found them consisting of the same elements as the earthy globules of 

 the stone from Benares. 



From a collective view of the contents of this paper, we may now 

 reasonably infer, that all the substances here mentioned, not except- 

 ing the native irons from Siberia and South America, and some from 

 Bohemia and Senegal, have a manifest relation with each other. 

 Mr. Howard recapitulates these analogies ; and, with a view to the 

 further investigation of the subject, closes his paper with the follow- 

 ing queries : 1st. Have not all fallen stones, and what are called 

 Native Irons, the same origin ? 2nd. Are all or any the produce of 

 meteors ? and 3dly. Adverting to the circumstance of the Yorkshire 

 stone having fallen during a serene sky, might not this stone have 

 formed a meteor in regions too elevated to be within the reach of 

 our observation ? 



Observations on the two lately discovered celestial Bodies. By William 

 Herschel, LL.D. F.R.S. Read May 6, 1802. {Phil. Trans. 1802, 

 p. 213.] 



The observations described in the first part of this paper relate to 

 the magnitude, the colour, the disc, and the atmosphere of the two 

 moving stars lately discovered by Mr. Piazzi and Dr. Olbers, to 

 which they have assigned the names of Ceres and Pallas ; and also 

 to the question, whether they be attended by any satellites. Their 

 magnitudes were determined by means of a comparison of their re- 

 flected images with a lucid spot of a disc micrometer placed at con- 

 siderable distances. The results of many observations were, that the 

 diameter of Ceres does not subtend an angle of more than 0"'40, or 

 in actual length only 162-4- miles; and that the diameter of Pallas 

 can hardly measure more than between 71 and 72 miles. The colour 

 of these bodies was ruddy, and in one instance Pallas was of a dusky 

 white. Their discs were never of a well denned planetary appear- 

 ance ; and as to their atmospheres or comas, the greatest extent of 

 that attending Ceres was in one instance about two diameters beyond 

 its disc ; in another instance the whole had a cometary appearance ; 

 or when viewed most accurately, it bore a great resemblance to a 

 small, much compressed, but ill-defined planetary nebula. Pallas 

 never exhibited more than a faint haziness. As to satellites, it was 

 inferred previous to the observations, that bodies of such very small 

 dimensions could hardly contain a quantity of matter sufficient for 

 the retention of secondary bodies ; and in fact the several appearances 

 that seemed to denote the existence of such attendants, were on more 

 careful inspection found to be fallacious. 



In the second part of the paper Dr. Herschel enters into an inquiry 

 concerning the nature of these new stars, particularly as to the ques- 

 tion whether they be planets or comets. And in order to proceed upon 

 certain grounds, he previously enumerates certain criteria by which 

 the heavenly bodies may be properly distinguished. These, as to the 

 planets, are seven in number. 1 . Those till lately discovered are all 



