THE PLANET JUPITER IN OCT. AND NOV. 1880. 
13 
rings. Upon the planet himself a series of belts were always 
observed, though sometimes with greater distinctness than at 
others ; but, compared with the belts on Jupiter , they were 
remarkably faint, wholly lacking that decided character and 
variegated aspect invariably shown by the latter phenomena. 
Near the south pole of Saturn there was a very dark cap, and 
separating this from the belts lying near the equator, there 
intervened a lighter zone. Bright patches were suspected on 
this, particularly where it came up to the planet’s margin ; and 
on November 17 a marking of this nature was certainly seen on 
the south- south-west limb, though it remained in view only for a 
short interval, and could not be reobserved on subsequent occa- 
sions. Some observers have referred to the figure of Saturn as 
sometimes assuming a singular form known as ‘ square- shoul- 
dered/ and the fact is supported on unequivocal testimony. 
The writer had not made many observations before this curious 
figure became distinctly apparent, causing an evident distor- 
tion of the globe, and a departure from the true spheroidal 
form. Attention was then more specially directed to the cir- 
cumstances, and the explanation appeared to be that, while the 
bright belt above alluded to had the effect of apparently 
e raising’ the globe, the dark bands compressed it to such a 
degree as to bring about a very palpable deviation from the 
normal form. This is a fact which future observers should 
consider. In addition to the bright belt referred to, the system 
of Saturn exhibited two other markedly bright zones — one on 
the planet’s equator, and the other lying immediately within 
the major division in the rings. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE I. 
Fig. 1. Jupiter , his belts and great red spot. 1880, October 14th, 9 h 35 m . 
Fig. 2. Jupiter and his belts. 1880, October 24th, ll h 15 m . 
Fig. 3. Section of the great equatorial belt, showing the white spot. 1880, 
November 28th, 9 h 51 m . 
Fig. 4. The white spot overtaking and passing the red spot, as observed on 
November 17th, 19th, 20th, and 21st. The apparent motion is 
from east to west, i.e. from right to left in the diagram. 
Fig. 5. Saturn and his rings. 1880, November 28th, 8 h 30 m . 
