S20 . Dr. Herschel’s Observations on 
i 
From these observations, which give us the dimensions of 
the comas of the smallest comets that have been observed with 
good instruments, we conclude, that the comas of these new 
stars, which at most amount only to a few times the diameter 
of the bodies to which they belong, bear no resemblance to the 
comas of comets, which, even when smallest, exceed theirs 
above a hundred times. Not to mention the extensive atmo- 
spheres, and astonishing length. of the tails, of some comets that 
have been observed, to which these new stars have nothing in 
the least similar. 
Since, therefore, neither the appellation of planets, nor that 
of comets, can with any propriety of language be given to these 
two stars, we ought to distinguish them by a new name, denoting 
a species of celestial bodies hitherto unknown to us, but which 
the interesting discoveries of Mr. Piazzi and Dr. Olbers have 
brought to light. 
With this intention, therefore, I have endeavoured to find 
out a leading feature in the character of these new stars; and, 
as planets are distinguished from the fixed stars by their visible 
change of situation in the zodiac, and comets by their remark- 
able comas, so the quality in which these objects differ consi- 
derably from the two former species, is that they resemble small 
stars so much as hardly to be distinguished from them, even 
by very good telescopes. It is owing to this very circumstance, 
that they have been so long concealed from our view. From 
this, their asteroidical appearance, if 1 may use that expression, 
therefore, I shall take my name, and call them Asteroids; 
reserving to myself, however, the liberty of changing that name, 
if another, more expressive of their nature, should occur. These 
bodies will hold a middle rank, between the two species that 
