borders, and, in every part of the revolving ring, presenting 
ns with the same view of colour, breadth, and sharpness of its 
outlines, no kind of hypothesis but a division of the ring, 
through which the open heavens may be seen, will answer the 
conditions of this phaenomenon. It remained therefore only 
to ascertain, whether the southern plane would present us 
with the same aspect. And since I have lately had a great 
number of fine views of the ring of Saturn, I shall here deliver 
as many of the observations as will be sufficient to throw light 
enough on the subject, to enable us to decide the question, 
whether this ring be double or single ? 
Observations on the Ring of Saturn. 
Sept. 7, 1790. 20-feet reflector. No dark division can as 
yet be seen upon the ring of Saturn ; but it is hardly open 
enough to expect it to be visible. 
Aug. 5, 1791. 20-feet reflector. The black list, on this side 
of the ring of Saturn, is exactly in the same relative place 
where I saw it on the northern plane. 
Sept. .25, 1791. 20-feet reflector. The black division goes 
all around the ring, as far as I can trace it, exactly in the 
same place where I used to see it on the north side. 
Oct. 13, 1791. 10-feet reflector. The black division upon 
the southern plane of Saturn’s ring, is in the same place, of the 
same breadth, and at the same distance from the outer edge, that 
I have always seen it on the northern plane. With a power of 
400, I see it very distinctly ; it is of the same kind of colour as 
the space between the ring and the body, but not so dark. 
Oct. 24, 1791. 7-feet reflector. With a new, machine- 
B 2 
