-meedful tq preferve the material Syflem. 209 
‘tem of planets revolving round it ; and confequently requiring 
a {pace proportioned to their number, and the extent of their 
fyftems : which fpace, for fuch multitudes of them as the fupe 
pofition implies, muft be beyond conception immenfe : and 
through which they mutt therefore be difperfed at {uch diftances, 
-that comparatively few of them.could be vifible by us ; and 
that the whole.together.could not blend theirlighé to caufe that 
phenomenon. 
On the contrary, the phenomenon firikes us, as it may be 
fuppofed fuch a luminous girdle would ftrike, if its light were 
reflected from the.concave furface of afar diftant orb : to which, 
en the hypothefis affumed, it had been propelled from the nu- 
merous fyftems, which the orb enfolds. | 
The fame idea is fuggefted by the different degrees of its 
light, from a fmall light to a faint fcarcely difcernible-one ; by 
the frequent interruptions of it ; and by the.large chafm, which 
for a confiderable fpace, makes .the girdle appear double, and 
very irregular. 
Thefe appearances may be.occafioned by the fituation of the 
| i in c um to thofe. pay. of ae o from which certain 
EO. Sd 
oe means 5 of which thofe e cones are dis Sy and Toe re- 
fle&ed to the earth.: whofe different fituations in its orbit, by 
reafon of its great diftance from. the orb, would occafion no n- 
„fible difference in the appearance. 
With refpe& to the other luminous appearances in the con- 
. cave expanfe, I heg leave here to.introduce feveral obfervations, 
upon that fubje&, from two authors, who have diftinguithed 
-themfelves in.the aftronomical branch. of fcience, : 
Car «4 one 
