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rori'LAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
There has been some difference in the estimate of its tone, 
which might indeed be expected, since e}^es are known to differ 
widely in this respect — more, in fact, than instruments: for 
the same blue rays which are “ outstanding ” or external to the 
image, in achromatics, are, partially at least, transmitted instead 
of being reflected by the silver film ; so that the result in either 
case will be similar — the predominance of the complementary 
orange in the focal image. But whatever might be due to 
personal or instrumental equation, the contrast of the central 
band with the rest of the disc was most obvious. To my eye 
the colour appeared to be a ruddy or brownish-yellow. I had 
an impression towards the end of the year that it was becoming 
less decided ; but this idea was subsequently shaken, and the 
suspected differences may have been due to the difficulty of 
such comparative estimates, or perhaps to actual inequality of 
tint in different parts of the zone. 
Across this coloured background, a number of grey shadings 
were projected from the inner edge of the south torrid belt, 
usually at right angles to it, though sometimes a little deflected 
eastward, extending about half-way across the yellow zone. 
These, in a bad state of the air, could not be made out, or only 
appeared as confused and shapeless markings ; under better 
definition it could be perceived that their further extremities 
were bent right and left so as to form a succession of loops or 
festoons, whose undulating edge usually ranged along the equator. 
From a rough graphical estimate there may have been sixteen 
or eighteen of these loops around the girdle of the planet, and 
they appeared to exist on every side of the globe, with a sur- 
prising general similarity of character, though not exclusive of 
local differences as to distinctness and symmetry of form. One 
would frequently surpass in breadth all the others in sight, and 
at times they were darker or better marked on one side of the 
disc than on the other. Dec. 25, they were shorter and nar- 
rower than before, but the usual type soon returned. In one 
very Temarkable view (Nov. 16), six of them assumed the aspect 
of a bridge ; the piers being very clearly made out in the centre, 
though more difficult towards either limb; and as they were 
always broader at their origin in the south belt, the resemblance 
to elliptical arches was very striking, notwithstanding some 
want of precise correspondence. A faint idea of this appear- 
ance may be obtained from fig. 1. On this occasion, though I 
have noted that there was “ a great profusion of minute detail,” 
which I had unfortunately not sufficient time to analyse or 
sketch, the festoon form was only partially and slightly indi- 
cated. But on the following night, Nov. 17, another side of 
the globe, about 150° removed from that previously visible, ex- 
hibited, though feebly through a sheet of streaky haze, a most 
