VOL. XXXVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 527 



ing to the different ratio of gravity to the centrifugal force, suggested to M. 

 Maupertuis, that probably the planets have such forms ; since for this there is 

 only necessary a swifter motion round the axis, or a less density of matter: for, 

 though few planets, that we know of, come sufficiently near a spheroidal figure, 

 why may we not admit of other forms, either about other suns, or even our 

 own ? these lentiform planets would never be seen by us, either by reason of 

 their distance, or because they would be in the plane of the ecliptic, or in a 

 plane somewhat inclined to it, to which plane their axis of revolution would be 

 perpendicular, or nearly so : for, in this situation they could not be seen from 

 the earth. 



And why might not such a variety of forms obtain among the fixed stars? 

 especially, since it is very probable, that they revolve round their axis, like our 

 sun. There are probably lentiform fixed stars in the heavens; and probably 

 they are surrounded with very excentric planets, or comets, which, since they 

 are not fixed in the plane of the equator, when they approach the perihelion, 

 disturb the direction of the star's axis; and then the star, which by reason of 

 its situation now disappears, appeared; or that which appeared before, now 

 disappears. And so a reason might be assigned, why some stars seem to appear 

 and disappear alternately. 



But if in any system a comet with a tail move near some powerful planet, 

 what will be the consequence? why, the matter emitted from the body of the 

 comet, will be attracted round the planet; and by the comet's sending out new 

 matter, or a sufficient quantity being already emitted, there will arise a continual 

 flux of matter round the planet; and though the column, emitted from the 

 comet, may at first be either of a cylindrical, conical, or any other form, yet 

 its centrifugal force, with the gravities arising both from the planet and from 

 the effluent matter, will always render it broader and thinner; and this incur- 

 vated column will approach to some of the forms determined in prob. 2. And 

 thus a reason might be assigned for Saturn's ring, the most surprising pheno- 

 menon in nature. 



And while the tail of the comet would furnish the planet with such a ring, 

 the comet itself might probably be attracted, if at a due distance, and become 

 a new satellite to the planet; and thus probably several comets have furnished 

 out both Saturn's satellites and his ring; for it is not likely that Saturn's ring 

 is owing to the effluvia of one comet, since it projects a shadow on his disk; 

 whereas the matter of the tails of comets is so rare, that the stars may be seen 

 to shine through it. Saturn's ring therefore seems to consist of the tails of 

 several comets, whose matter is become more dense on account of his at- 

 traction. 



