on the Planet Venus. 169 
no means the light of its body , but merely that of its atmo- 
sphere. 
Notwithstanding the density of this atmosphere, we must na- 
turally consider it as generally clear and transparent, like our 
own, and that of the moon, and as losing its transparency only 
where its matter becomes really condensed ; which condensa- 
tions, however, may be supposed not always to appear like dark- 
er spots to an observer on our earth, but to remain often imper- 
ceptible to him. At least, I cannot think, contrary to all analogy, 
that Providence would bless the inhabitants of Venus, incom- 
parably less than ourselves, with the happiness of seeing the 
works of almighty power, and of discovering, like a Herschel, 
still more and more distant regions of the universe. We must, 
at least, adhere to this analogy, till indisputable experiments 
convince us of the contrary, which, however, according to my 
numerous observations, is by no means the case. 
2. But if the atmosphere of Venus be naturally clear and 
transparent, like that of our earth, except accidental conden- 
sations, we cannot well doubt, that in looking at the planet, 
we perceive at the same time both the light of its body, and 
that of its atmosphere, the latter being illuminated partly by 
the immediate rays of the sun, and partly by reflection from 
the body of the planet, and by refraction. 
3. It is also equally reasonable to suppose, that, as we are 
ourselves enveloped in a thick atmosphere, and must look, from 
a great distance, through a dense illuminated atmosphere, not 
only our own atmosphere, but likewise particularly the density 
of that of Venus, and the light upon it, as also the various re- 
flections of the light from the body of the planet, and its re- 
fractions, will put such impediments in the way, and occasion 
MDCCXCV. Z 
