Objections of M. de la lande, r6i 
inhere fuch a ftrange fluctuation of appearances, human reafon, 
even when afpiring by the moft enlarged analogy, mu ft recoil 
under a confcioufnefs of the unfathomable refources of nature, 
and of its own dark and limited fphere. “ Demiraberis qui- 
“ dem fine dubio” (fays h eve lius, fpeaking of the Sun, Co- 
metographia, p. 412.) “ quod tarn brevi tempore, fpatio ali- 
“ quot dierum, quin horarum, adeo miris et horribilibus fub- 
<c jiciantur mutationibus, ac viciliitudinibus !” 
Hence I would remark, that whatever inconfiftencies arc 
imagined in the account I have delivered in part II. though fuch 
may be juftly chargeable upon certain principles there afliimed, 
yet they ought not to be ftated as prefumptions againft the 
fpots being really excavations or depreflions in the luminous 
matter of the fun. This opinion muft reft entirely upon the 
evidence held forth in the firft part of the paper, what- 
ever be the fate of the account laid down in the fecond. It 
does not enter there as an hypothecs, but as a matter of faff, 
previoufly eftablifhed by optical arguments ; and from optical 
arguments alone can there arife even any juft prefumptions 
againft it. The lamenefs of the views given in part II. may 
probably proceed, as we have faid, from our very imperfect 
knowledge of the vaft range of phyftcal caufes which obtain 
in the univerfe. But whatever be their defects, no doubts 
ought to arife, upon fuch grounds, of the fpots being them- 
felves what direct obfervation declares them, namely, excava- 
tions in the fum Whether their firft production and fubfe- 
quent numberlefs changes depend upon the eru&ation of elaftic 
vapour from below, or upon eddies or whirl-pools commencing 
at the furface, or upon the diflolving of the luminous matter 
in the folar atmofphere, as clouds are melted and again given 
out by our air ; or, if the reader pleafes, upon the annihilation 
Vol. LXXIII. Y and 
