SPECTRA AND GROWTH OF STARS 227 



The foundation of what may be called a new science 

 was thus laid by Herschel more than half a century 

 before anything was built on it. 



In that paper also he embodied curious speculations 

 on the growth of stars : " If the nebulosity should sub- 

 side into the star, as seems to be indicated by the 

 assumed form of the fan-shaped nebulae, the star 

 would receive an increase of matter proportional to 

 the magnitude and density of the nebulosity in contact 

 with it." 



Another of the subjects specially studied by Herschel 

 from an early period in his career was the white clouds 

 or nebulae seen, even with the naked eye, in various 

 places among the stars. The telescopes of astronomers 

 had not done much to add to their number or reveal 

 their peculiar forms till he took the matter in hand. 

 In 1786 he laid before the Royal Society a " catalogue 

 of a thousand nebulas and clusters of stars." Three 

 years after, he presented the Society with a " catalogue 

 of a second thousand new nebulae and clusters of stars"; 

 and in 1802 he added "a catalogue of 500 new 

 nebulae and clusters of stars." A field of discovery so 

 rich he had been left to reap alone, except in the assist- 

 ance, the invaluable assistance, which he received from 

 his devoted sister Caroline. He looked upon star- 

 clusters and nebulae as building stones used by the 

 Creator in constructing the universe; to catalogue, 

 to watch, and to measure these building stones was a 

 long step taken in ascertaining the plan on which the 

 Almighty Architect proceeded. Herschel was laughed 

 at, most unfairly laughed at, as a " lively and amusing " 

 dreamer ; science has proved that he was a noble pioneer 

 of modern discoveries, which inspire mankind with awe. 



