i6o Dr. Herschel’s Observations of a Comet , 
claim my attention. When I saw the uncommon flattening 
of the polar regions of this planet, in the 40-feet telescope, I 
ascribed it to the attractive matter in the ring,* and of its ten- 
dency to produce such an effect we can have no doubt ; but 
as another circumstance, which was also noticed, namely, an 
apparent small flattening of the equatorial parts, cannot be 
explained on the same principles, I wished to ascertain what 
physical cause might be assigned for this effect, and with a 
view to an investigation of this point, I have continued my 
observations. The position of the ring, at the last appearance 
of the planet, however, proved to be quite unfavourable for 
the intended purpose ; for the very parts, which I was desi- 
rous of inspecting, were covered by the passage of the ring 
over the disk of the planet in front, or were projected on the 
ring, where it passed behind the body. 
In my attempts to pursue this object, I perceived a new 
irregularity in the Saturnian figure, which, I am perfectly 
assured, had no existence the last time I examined the planet, 
and the following observations contain an account of it. 
Observations. 
June 16, 1807. The two polar regions of Saturn are at 
present of a very different apparent shape. The northern 
regions, as in former observations are flattened ; but the 
southern are more curved or bulged outwards. 
I asked my son John Herschel, who after me looked at 
Saturn while I was writing down the above observation, if he 
perceived that there was a difference in the curvature of the 
north and south pole, and if he did, to mark on a slate how 
* See Phil. Trans, for 1805, page 276. 
