OF THE COSMOS. MILKY WAY. 131 



either distant world-islands, or out-branching parts of the 

 annular system; in others, again, the Milky Way has 

 hitherto remained "fathomless," even to the 40 -feet teles- 

 cope. ( 262 ) Investigations respecting differences in the 

 intensity of light in the Milky Way, as well respecting the 

 magnitudes of stars, and their regular increase in numbers 

 from the poles of the galaxy to the galactic circle itself, 

 (an increase which is particularly remarked for 30 on either 

 side of the Milky Way in stars below the llth magni- 

 tude, ( 263 ) and therefore in -j-f-ths of the whole number), 

 have conducted those who have been engaged in the most 

 recent researches in the southern heavens, to remarkable 

 views and probable results in regard to the form of the 

 galactic annular system, and to what has been boldly called 

 the place of our Sun in the world-island to which that 

 annular system belongs. The place assigned to the Sun is 

 excentric, and conjectured to be where a subordinate stratum 

 branches off from the principal ring, ( 264 ) in one of the 

 comparatively desert regions, and nearer to the Southern 

 Cross than to the opposite galactic node. ( 265 ) The depth 

 to which our system is immersed in the star-stratum which 

 forms the Milky Way (reckoned from the southern limit) is 

 supposed to be equal to the distance, (or to the light-path) of 

 stars of the 9th and 10th, but not of the 11 th magnitude. ( 266 ) 

 Where, from the peculiar nature of particular problems, 

 measurements and immediate cognizance by the senses fail, 

 we view, as it were by an imperfect twilight, the results 

 which intellectual contemplation aspires to attain. 



