48 G. Hinrichs on Planetology. 
3. The ellipticity of the planet. Theory may assign to it ' 
. 
stant with the first (mass) we obfain the density. 
9. ‘The plane or inclination, 7, of the orbit. 
10. The direction of the motion. The velocity is given by the 
distance. 
11. The eccentricity of the orbit. This constant is fundamental, 
for the theory of gravitation only proves the orbit to be a con 
section of some kind. The eccentricity can only be found from 
observation. . 
12. The number of satellites of a planet is also fundamental 
and for each of them the same eleven constants have to be taken 
8 principal planets, constants 1-12, —- - 
8 = eat: 
0 small planets, oe 320 
23 secondary planets, “ 1-11, - - - 258 
The sun, 6 1-7, - wes 7 
Total number of constants, 676 
to which the corresponding constants for the comets would have 
be added. 
to be. 
What, in the face of this great number of constants that a 
its xp to borrow from observation, shall we say about 
- perfection of this science? Is it not in science, 
* This Journal, ix, 895, May, 1850; also xi 1 210, Sept, 1852. 
