68 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
what is meant by this we have need to study the phenomena for 
ourselves. We have need to see with our own eyes the deep 
shadows on the floor of P/azo, the yellow streaks, the deepening 
penumbra, the nucleus, black as Erebus, of a sun-spot. 
With this ability to understand, this realisation of the 
phenomena of the science, there comes the capacity to form an 
intelligent judgment on some of its theories. What is to be said 
of Proctor’s theory of the architecture of the heavens? his 
theory of the nebulz ? of star-streams and star-drift ? What— 
to come nearer home—are we to think of the startling theory, 
which may yet render New Zealand famous, propounded by 
Professor Bickerton ? We shall admire his courage, and respect 
his solid astronomical learning, at any rate, even if we remain 
unconvinced that the visible universe has taken its present form 
from a certain remote “ partial impact.” The more ambitious 
claims of the theory we may refuse ; but the theory itself, as an 
explanation of a large number of stellar phenomena, is, I think, 
entitled to very respectful attention. 
To the large number of students of high mathematical 
ability which our seats of learning are now sending forth, the 
mathematics of Astronomy offer deeply interesting work. The 
dynamics of Prof. Bickerton’s theory itself give rise to a whole 
series of curious problems. 
The appearance of the great southern comet of 1881 afforded 
at least one mathematical astronomer amongst us an oppor- 
tunity of exercising his learned ingenuity in the calculation of 
its elements. Mr. Arthur Beverley must forgive me for em-. 
ploying this means of inducing him to give wider publicity to his 
skilful computation. The neat graphical method employed 
deserves permanent record as an original contribution towards 
the solution of a problem which Sir Isaac Newton himself 
described as perdifficellimum. 
My plea is nearly concluded. But I am anxious that even 
those who possess no instrument should feel how interesting is a 
knowledge of the constellations only, whose outlines appear to 
the unaided eye. “ Why (says Carty) did not somebody teach 
me the constellations, and make me at home in the starry 
heavens which are always overhead, and which I don’t half know 
to this day?” Their return to the same places in the sky is 
looked upon by those who have learned to recognise and love 
them with the same feeling as one greets the face of an old friend, 
watches the first budding of the hawthorn hedge, or looks out 
upon the first fall of winter’s snow. . 
I have no wish to speak unkindly of Volvox globator. | 
would not have anybody know less of the fructification of the 
Equisetacew. But I should be glad if the effect of this paper 
shall be to induce some to raise their eyes from earth to heaven, 
and behold the beauty, contemplate the remoteness, and realise 
the wonder, the glory, and the mystery of the stars. 
