108 Colours of Stars. 



method of seeking for coincidences ; and those who engage in 

 the pursuit ought,, in common fairness, to pay due attention 

 to the statements which Captain Saxby supplies. We may also 

 say that, after rejecting all the hypothetical matter put forth 

 by the Astro-meteorologists, it maybe well worthwhile to com- 

 pare weather changes with planetary movements, and, in so 

 doing, to take into account the alleged experience of Mr. 

 Pearce and his friends. We use the term alleged experience 

 advisedly, and without the slightest doubt of the integrity of the 

 Astro-meteorologists. The value of their experience depends 

 upon the care they have taken to eliminate error ; and while we 

 do not doubt their good faith, they have as yet failed to convince 

 us that they have exercised due caution in their search for 

 truth. 



Many of our readers may think that Astro-meteorology has 

 not entitled itself to the serious notice we have taken of 

 it. This may be true if it be regarded simply as a philosophy ; 

 but we must protest against neglecting to watch for coinci- 

 dences between planetary motions and weather changes, be- 

 cause certain very enthusiastic gentlemen have brought 

 ridicule upon the process through hastiness and over zeal. 



COLOUES OF STAES.— CLTTSTEES AND NEBULAE. 



BY THE EEV. T. W. WEBB, A.M., F.E.A.S. 



The interesting subject of Star Colours may yet admit of a 

 little further elucidation; more especially since a recent dis- 

 covery, of a peculiarly brilliant and striking character, gives 

 fair promise of our gaining some degree of acquaintance with 

 the constitution of the stars, notwithstanding their inexpressible 

 remoteness. It is but reasonable to suppose that the colour of 

 stellar light must depend, at least to a considerable extent, 

 upon the nature of the incandescent materials by which we con- 

 ceive it to be emitted ; and, strange as it may appear, we are 

 now in a position to guess, with a measure of confidence which 

 would a short time ago have been incredible, at some of the 

 elements which enter into the composition of the starry photo- 

 spheres. Our readers will be familiar with the extraordinary 

 results which have been deduced by MM. Kirchhoff and 

 Bunsen from their examination of the solar light by what is 

 now termed " spectrum analysis." They may be thus summed 

 up. The spectra formed by the light of intensely-heated 

 bodies usually exhibit a set of transverse lines or bands, and 

 these appear to be constant as to number and position with 



