C 2 7=> 1 
XIX. Observations on the singular Figure of the Vianet Saturn . 
By William Herschel, LL V D. F. R. S. 
Read June 20, 1805. 
There is not perhaps another object in the heavens that 
presents us with such a variety of extraordinary phenomena 
as the planet Saturn: a magnificent globe, encompassed by a 
stupendous double ring : attended by seven satellites : orna- 
mented with equatorial b^lts : compressed at the poles : turning 
upon its axis : mutually eclipsing its ring and satellites, and 
eclipsed by them : the most distant of the rings also turning 
upon its axis, and the same taking place with the farthest of 
the satellites : all the parts of the system of Saturn occasionally 
reflecting light to each other : the rings and moons illuminating 
the nights of the Saturnian : the globe and satellites enlight- 
ening the dark parts of the rings : and the planet and rings 
throwing back the sun's beams upon the moons, when they 
are deprived of them at the time of their conjunctions. 
It must be confessed that a detail of circumstances like these, 
appears to leave hardly any room for addition, and yet the 
following observations will prove that there is a singularity 
left, which distinguishes the figure of Saturn from that of all 
the other planets. 
It has already been mentioned on a former occasion, that so 
far back as the year 1776 I perceived that the body cf Saturn 
was not exactly round; and when I found in the year 1781 
