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4 
32 H. A. LENEHAN. 
ago the number of photographic objects in the heavens 
was roughly estimated at about 170 millions, and some 
10 years later it had increased to about 400 millions. 
Although Professor Newcomb, in his recent book on 
‘The Stars,” refrains even from conjecturing any definite 
number, yet [ suppose that the enormous number of 
400 millions must now be far below the mark, and 
photographically still grows year by year. It seems 
useless to consider whether the number of stars has any 
limit, for infinite number, space and time, transcend our 
powers of comprehension. We must then make a virtue 
of necessity, and confine our attention to such more 
_ limited views as seen within our powers. A celestial 
photograph looks at first lke a dark sheet of paper 
splashed with whitewash, but further examination shows 
that there is some degree of method in the arrangement 
of the white wash spots. It may be observed that the 
Stars in many places are arranged in lines and sweeping 
trains, and chains of stars, arranged in roughly parallel 
curves seem to be drawn round some centre. A surface 
splashed at hazard might present apparent evidence of 
svstem in a few instances, but the frequency of the 
occurrence in the heavens renders the hypothesis of mere 
chance altogether incredible. 
Expedition to the North Pole.—Commander Peary sailed 
in July to make a further attempt to reach the North 
Pole. He intends going by the Smith Sound or American 
route to the Pole, and force his ship to a base within 500 
miles of the Pole itself, and sledge across the polar 
pack. The arctic ship Roosevelt has been built for this 
expedition, constructed so as to withstand ice pressure, 
and so shaped that this ice pressure will have the effect 
of raising the vessel out of water. A wireless telegraphic 
outfit will be carried, and one or two relay stations in 
Greenland will keep her in permanent communication 
