488 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
of the sun, with a scarcely diminished brightness (provided we do not happen 
to see another spot), and so spots would become impossible. If we assume 
that the gaseous mass is but slightly transparent, then it should emit light, 
and openings would not appear as spots.” 
The objections here referred to are, we believe, due to Mr. Stewart, and 
first appeared in the Reader. M. Faye then refers to those who insist upon 
a liquid surface under the photosphere, pointing out that this liquid would 
also be incandescent, and that therefore spots are not more easily accounted 
for. In reply to the first-named objection, M. Faye denies that the law of 
exchanges applies in this case, and pictures chemical combination and de- 
composition always at work in that thickness of 800,000 miles through 
which that law states we should see clearly. 
Further, he urges that the theory of the cold-absorbing atmosphere can 
scarcely apply to spots, several rotations of which are observed, unless, at 
at all events, equal currents were set up in a contrary direction. We look 
upon this as a weak objection, for no one denies the counter currents, and 
it is known that very often, in those spots which remain visible a long time, 
the area they occupy and the changes which occur in them are enormous. 
The other communication to which we referred is a most careful paper by 
Mr. Huggins in the Monthly Notices, which, in our opinion, gives, if we may 
be allowed the expression, the coup de grace to the “Willow-leaf Controversy.” 
Mr. Huggins, who, to judge from his diagram, was favoured with surprisingly 
fine definition, writes thus of the form of these bodies : — 
“ When the granules are observed with powers of about 100 diameters, no 
comparison which has been made appears to me so appropriate as that to 
“ rice-grains,” suggested by Mr. Stone. If, however, higher powers are em- 
ployed, this apparent regularity of figure and of size of the granules dis- 
appears to a great extent. Many of them are then seen to be nearly round, 
and not of the elongated form of rice-grains. Besides the oval and nearly 
round granules, may be observed irregular-shaped masses of almost every 
form. An important character common to all these bodies, whatever their 
form, is the irregular broken outline by which they are bounded. If, 
however, these smaller irregularities of figure be disregarded, the granules 
may be described generally as possessing a more or less oval form. The 
granules appear to me not to be flat disks, but bodies of considerable- 
thickness.” “ Their average size,” he remarks, “ may be taken roughly at 1" in 
diameter, and the average larger diameter of the more oval particles at 
about 1"5.” 
Finally, we read — “ Mr. Dawes states that, after years of careful observa- 
tion of these bright bodies, he considers them to be 1 merely different condi- 
tions of the surface of comparatively large luminous clouds themselves — ridges, 
waves, hills, knolls, or whatever else they might be called — differing in form, 
brilliancy, and probably in elevation.’ I would venture to differ from this 
distinguished observer only so far as to suggest that the bright granules 
were originally separate clouds, though it may be that their under-surfaces soon 
begin to unite with the less luminous stratum of clouds beneath them.” 
So much for the solar “ Diatomacece .” 
Silliman’s Journal for July contains some accounts of early glimpses of 
the new variable which we reproduce, as the question of its sudden appear- 
