404 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
markedly in several instances, is one which cannot reasonably 
be ascribed to mere coincidence. Let it be noted, moreover, 
that whatever significance we attach to it, when considering 
the stars of the first five orders of magnitude, must be enhanced 
if, as we proceed, we recognise a similar feature (on a different 
scale, however) among stars of lower orders of magnitude. 
Throughout this paper, I am not presenting a series of con- 
siderations so related one with the other that the failure of one 
destroys the validity of my reasoning ; I am dealing with argu- 
ments which are independent of each other, though severally 
adding to each other’s strength. If some of them fail, my 
case is only pro tanto weakened ; it is not by any means 
destroyed. 
Before leaving Fig. 1, however, I would invite special attention 
to the manner in which the two star streams are conjoined. We 
see these streams converging upon a single star brighter than 
those which form the streams themselves ; and we may also 
trace, not indistinctly, a certain general equality of distribution 
among the stars of the two streams. The former feature is, 
however, the only one I care at present to dwell upon ; and it 
is to this particular arrangement of streams — two or more (but 
usually two) proceeding from a single star — or of branches 
proceeding, as it were, from a single stem, that I have given 
the title of star sprays. In searching among the star-depths 
revealed by telescopes of considerable power, many cases may 
be noticed in which such star sprays exhibit a singular uniformity 
of structure. The stars of the leading magnitudes are too few 
in number to afford many well-marked instances. I may note, 
however, the arrangement of the stars in Coma Berenices as 
one illustration of this sort ; the stars 7, 14 and 13, forming the 
stalk of the spray. Another illustration may be recognised in 
the stars forming the poop of Argo and the hind-quarters of 
Canis Major, or (to use a more satisfactory way of indicating 
the orbs I refer to) the streams of stars converging on £ and p 
Argus, from s Canis Major and from 7 r Argus. At s Canis 
Major there is another subdivision ; one stream of stars passing 
to rc Columbse, the other over u and x Puppis to v Argus. 
The streams from the water-can of Aquarius form a more ex- 
tensive, but perhaps less satisfactory, illustration of the same 
peculiarity. 
I need give the less attention to those cases of stream-forma- 
tion which may be recognised among the stars of the first six 
orders inclusive, because I have already discussed the relations 
among the stars, in the second edition of my 66 Other Worlds.” 
Of the peculiarities of distribution recognisable among the 
stars there dealt with, I may say with confidence that it is 
wholly impossible to regard them as accidental ; they indicate 
