274 Dr. Herschel’s Observations 
polar regions ; I could also perceive the vacant space between 
the two rings. 
The flattening of the polar regions is not in that gradual 
manner as with Jupiter, it seems not to begin till at a high 
latitude, and there to be more sudden than it is towards the 
poles of Jupiter. I have often made the same observation 
before, but do not remember to have recorded it any where. 
April 18; 10-feet reflector, power 300. The air is very 
favourable, and I see the planet extremely well defined. The 
shadow of the ring is very black in its extent over the disk 
south of the ring, where I see it all the way with great dis- 
tinctness. 
The usual belts are on the body of Saturn ; they cover a 
much larger zone than the belts on Jupiter generally take up, 
as may be seen in the figure I have given in Plate IX.; and 
also in a former representation of the same belts in 1794.* 
The figure of the body of Saturn, as I see it at present, is 
certainly different from the spheroidical figure of Jupiter. The 
curvature is greatest in a high latitude. 
I took a measure of the situation of the four points of the 
greatest curvature, with my angular micrometer, and power 
527. When the cross of the micrometer passed through all 
the four points, the angle which gives the double latitude of 
two of the points, one being north the other south of the ring, 
or equator, was 93° 16'. The latitude therefore of the four 
points is 46° 38' ; it is there the greatest curvature takes place. 
As neither of the cross wires can be in the parallel, it makes 
the measure so difficult to take, that very great accuracy can- 
not be expected. 
* See Phil. Trans, for 1794, Table VI. page 3-2. 
