THE PLANET NEPTUNE. 53 



somewhat extravagant. The singularly close agreement 

 between the observed and computed places of the planet 

 was accidental. So exact a coincidence could not have 

 been reasonably anticipated. If the planet had been 

 found even ten degrees from what Le Yerrier assigned 

 as its most probable place, this discrepancy would have 

 surprised no astronomer. The discovery would still 

 have been one of the most remarkable events in the 

 history of astronomy, and Le Yerrier would have merited 

 all the honors which have since been conferred upon 

 him. , 



