Rotation of the Planet Saturn upon its Axis. 53 
4 h 28'. The most north of the two belts is darker, and a 
little broader than the most south. (R) 
5 h 53'. Saturn is remarkably distinct ; much more so than 
Dec. 4, at 5 h 58' ; but the quintuple belt is less distinct than it 
was that evening ; it has also undoubtedly a different appear- 
ance. The northern belt is the darkest and broadest, that next 
to it is less dark ; and the third, or southmost belt, is faint, and 
hardly to be seen ; the narrow white belts that separate them 
are contracted, and but just visible. (S) 
Observation upon the double Ring of Saturn * 
The outer ring is less bright than the inner ring. The inner ring 
is very bright close to the dividing space ; and , at about half its 
breadth, it begins to change colour, gradually growing fainter ; 
and just upon the inner edge, it is almost of the colour of the dark 
part of the quintuple belt. 
7 h 52'. This is evidently another part of the planet than 
what I saw in the beginning of the evening. (T) 
Dec. 9. 5 h 33'. ( Cor. — 8' o",4.) The quintuple belt is ex- 
tremely distinct, but not so much so. in proportion to the rest 
of the appearances, as I might expect. (U) 
6 h 9'. The southmost dark belt is very faint ; the northmost 
is the strongest and broadest ; the bright divisions are very 
small, and difficult to be seen ; I can, however, trace them all 
along. (V) 
Dec. 11. i h 25'. ( Cor. — 8' 2 ",6.) I see the quintuple belt. 
The southmost belt is extremely faint ; that to the north is 
* This observation is foreign to the present purpose, but as it is new, and but short, 
I would not omit it ; and for the same reason, two or three more are retained here- 
after. 
