VOL. LXXXIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 357 



SO well, that, when I began to calculate, I mistook not less than 4 hours and 4 

 in the first supposition I made ; which, happening to agree extraordinarily well 

 with fourof the most pointed observations, it misled me so fur, that I was very near 

 rejecting the whole series as inconsistent, and began to think the changes in the 

 belts to have been so frequent, and irregular, as not to fall under any kind of 

 calculation. It will however soon appear that this has not been the case, and 

 that, on the contrary, there has been more steadiness and regularity in the belts, 

 than might well have been expected in such kind of appearances. 

 Observations on the belts of Saturn, 

 Nov. 1], 1793, 3" 35™. (Correction of the clock — 7™ 27M). Seven-feet 

 reflector ; power 287 ; new specula, uncommonly distinct. Close to the ring 

 of Saturn, where it passes the body of the planet, is the shadow of the ring ; 

 very narrow, and black. Immediately south of the shadow is a bright, uniform, 

 and broad belt. Close to this belt is a broad darker belt, which is divided by 2 

 narrow, white streaks ; so that by this means it comes to be 5 belts ; viz. 3 

 dark, and 2 bright ones; the colour of the dark belt is yellowish. The space 

 from the quintuple belt towards the south pole of the planet, which is in view, 

 is of a pale whitish colour ; less bright than the white equatorial belt, and much 

 less so than the ring. The globular form of Saturn is very visible, so that it 

 has, by no means, the appearance of a flat disc. 



In this manner Dr. H. sets down a number of other similar observations ; and 

 then interposes an observation on the double ring of Saturn, as follows : The 

 outer ring is less bright than the inner ring. The inner ring is very bright close 

 to the dividing space ; and, at about half its breadth, it begins to change colour, 

 gradually becoming fainter ; and just on the inner edge, it is almost of the 

 colour of the dark part of the quintuple belt. 



After this follow some more of the observations on the belts ; after which 

 intervenes this remark on the shadows of Saturn and his ring : On the south 

 following part of the ring, close to the body of the planet, is the shadow of the 

 body. The shadow of the ring on the body of the planet close to the ring, is 

 not parallel to the ring at the two extremes, but a little broader there than in 

 the middle ; the ends turning towards the south. 



After this again follow some more of the observations on the belts; 

 in the midst of which occurs the remark, that with the 10-feet reflector, 

 and a power of 60 only, he saw all the 5 old satellites. After which 

 occurs the following observations on the south pole of Saturn, and the 

 shadow of the ring, viz. at 3" 40"", the south polar regions of Saturn are a 

 little brighter, in proportion to the bright equatorial belt, than they used to be; 



