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€1612161113 which, do not appoar in tho coma, and which give rise to the two 
bright lines mentioned above. 
Spectra of stars of seventh magnitude. — The Padre Secchi has examined a 
large number of red stars with the spectroscope. Many of the stars thus 
examined are below the seventh magnitude, so that it would appear as if, 
with suitable instruments and in favourable atmospheric circumstances, the 
process of research commenced by Mr.- Huggins might be applied to many 
telescopic stars. 
The Nebula of ry Argus. — k. paper has been communicated to the Astro- 
nomical Society by Mr. Abbott, in which it is alleged that the remarkable 
nebula around r] Argus has varied considerably in figure during the past 
few years. Sir John Herschel, however, is not disposed to consider Mr. 
Abbott’s reasoning conclusive. The very great difierence in magnifying and 
light-gathering power between a 5-feet achromatic and the great reflector 
made use of by Sir John Herschel, seems quite sufficient to account for the 
difference between the views of the nebula which accompany Mr. Abbott’s 
paper and the noble drawing in Herschel’s Cape Observations.” 
While on the subject of this great irregular nebula, we may mention, that 
Lieut. Herschel has analysed it with the spectroscope supplied by the Royal 
Society to the Eclipse expedition, of which he is the head. The spectrum 
of the nebula consists of three bright lines, so that this nebula — like the 
great Orion nebula — is gaseous. 
We hear of five expeditions sent out to view* the great Eclipse. First there 
are the two sent out by the Royal Society and the Royal Astronomical 
Society. Prussia sends out an expedition to Aden ; M. Jansen heads one 
sent out by the French Government j and the Pope sends out Father Secchi. 
Mr. Posson, of the Madras Observatory, will also take part in observing the 
great Eclipse. 
A Globe of Mars . — At a late meeting of the Astronomical Society, Mr. 
Browning exhibited a globe of Mars, on which the lands and seas of this 
interesting planet were marked in, and named as in Proctor’s chart of Mars. 
With the exception of Phillips’ globe of Mars, this is, we believe, the first 
attempt to illustrate the varying appearance of Mars by means of a Martial 
globe. 
Venus and Saturn. — Venus has been very favourably situated for obser- 
vation during the past few months, and many observers have detected 
markings on this beautiful planet. Mercury has also been observed imder 
favourable circumstances dui'ing several weeks of June. 
Saturn, though low, has been an interesting object of observation. HTs 
rings are now well open. We do not hear of any discoveries worth record- 
ing. Indeed, it is unlikely that any observations made when the planet is 
in the wintry half of the zodiac should reveal peculiarities undetected when 
the ring w^as last seen at its full opening — in the oppositions of 1855-1857, 
during which it rose more than 40^ higher above the horizon than at 
present. 
Changes in Planetary Nebidce. — Mr. Key has observed changes in the plane- 
tary nebula 45 H. iv. Geminorum, which seem very remarkable. New rings 
appear to have formed around the stellar nucleus of this nebula. Mr. 
Huggins states that the nucleus gives a stellar spectrum j but he is uncer- 
