110 HISTOKY OF ASTRONOMY. 



The following is the account of the grand discovery of 

 a new ring by the Messrs. Bond, at Cambridge : 



"November 11, 1850. We notice to-night with full 

 certainty the filling up of light inside of the inner ring at 

 x and y (see drawing on page 109). Also where the ring 

 crosses the ball from c to c?, or apparently below its pro- 

 jection, is a dark band, no doubt the shadow of the ring 

 upon the ball ; but what is very singular, there is also a 

 dark line from a to 5, or above the ring, very plainly seen, 

 so that there can be no question as to the line where the 

 upper edge of the ring crosses the ball. The light which 

 fills the space at x and y, is suddenly terminated on the 

 side toward the ball. It does not arise from any optical 

 deception, for this would give a similar appearance to the 

 outside of the ring, or indeed to the edge of any object 

 we look at, which certainly is not the case. 



" November 15, 7h 50m. The new ring is sharply de- 

 fined on the edge next to the ball. W. 0. Bond thinks 

 he sees the new ring- clear of connection with the old. 

 But the side next to the old ring is not so definite as that 

 next to the planet, so that it is not certain whether the 

 new ring is connected with the old or not. Where the 

 dusky ring crosses Saturn, it appears a little wider at the 

 outside of the ball than in the center. Where it crosses 

 the ball, it is not quite so dark as the shadow of the 

 ring. 



" 8h p. M. Can not be sure of a division between the 

 new and old rings (other than the difference of light). 

 Once or twice with the higher powers, one was suspected. 



