with Remarks on the Construction of its different Parts . 119 
Nov. 10, I found no alteration in the eccentricity since the 
last observation. 
The colour of the planetary disk was of a pale ruddy tint, 
like that of such equally small stars as are inclined to red. 
The Illumination of the planetary Body . 
The smallness of the disk, even when most magnified, ren- 
dered any determination of its shape precarious ; however had 
it been otherwise than round, it might probably have been 
perceived ; the phasis of its illumination at the time of obser- 
vation being to a full disk as 1,6* to 2. 
From this as well as from the high magnifying power, which 
a point so faint could not have borne with advantage, had it 
shone by reflected light, we may infer that it was visible by 
rays emitted from its own body.* 
The Head of the Comet. 
It has already been noticed that the brightest part of the 
comet seen by the naked eye, appeared to contain a small star- 
like nucleus. When this was viewed in a night glass, or finder, 
magnifying only 6 or 8 times, it might still have been mis- 
taken for one ; but when I applied a higher power, such as 
from 60 to 120, it retained no longer this deceptive appear- 
ance ; which evidently arises from an accumulation of light, 
* On the subject of the nature of the light by which we see this comet, I may refer 
to what has been said in my paper of observations on that of the year 1807. Those 
who wish also to consult the opinion of an eminent philosopher, whose valuable works 
on meteorological subjects are well known, will find it expressed at large in a letter 
from Mr. De Luc, addressed to Mr. Bode, so far back as the year 1799, and re- 
printed in Mr. Nicholson’s Journal, published the 1st of March 1809. 
