SAT 
tained between two concentric circles, for 
all the piienomena correepond with the pro- 
jection of such a zone. The nature of the 
ring Dr. Herschel thinks no less solid tlian 
that of Saturn itself, and it is observed to 
cast a strong shadow upon the planet The 
light of the ring is also generally brighter 
than that of the planet, for the ring appears 
sufficiently bright when the telescope af- 
fords scarcely light enough for Saturn. The 
Doctor concludes that the edge of the ring 
is not flat, but spherical, or spheroidical. 
The dimensions of the ring, or of the two 
rings with the space between them. Dr. 
Herschel giyes as below : 
Inner diameter of smaller ring 146,345 
Outside diameter of ditto 184,393 
Inner diameter of larger ring 190,248 
Outside diameter of ditto 204,883 
Breadth of the inner ring 20,000 
Breadth of the outer ring 7,200 
Breadth of the vacant space, 
or dark zone 2,839 
There have been various conjectures rela- 
tive to the nature of this ring. Some per- 
sons have imagined that the diameter of the 
planet Saturn was once equal to the present 
diameter of the outer ring, and tliat it was 
hollow : the present body being contained 
within the former surface, in like manner as 
a kernel is contained within its shell ; they 
suppose that, in consequence of some con- 
cussion, or other cause, the outer shell all 
fell down to the inner body, and left only 
the ring at the greater distance from the 
centre, as we now perceive it. This con- 
jecture is in some measure corroborated by 
the consideration that both the planet and 
its ring perform their rotations about the 
same common axis, and in very nearly the 
same time. But from the observations of 
Dr. Herschel, he thus concludes ; “ It does 
not appear to me that there is sufficient 
ground for admitting the l ing of Saturn to 
be of a very changeable nature, and I 
guess that its phenomena wilt hereafter be 
so fully explained, as to reconcile all obser- 
vations. In the meanwhile we must with- 
hold a final judgment of its construction, 
till we can have more observations. Its 
division, however, into two very unequal 
parts, can admit of no doubt.” The dia- 
meters of Saturn are not equal : that which 
is perpendicular to the plane of his ring ap- 
pears less by one-eleventh than the diame- 
ter situated in that plane. If we compare 
this form with that of Jupiter, we have 
reason to conclude that Saturn turns ra- 
SAV 
pidly round his shorter axis, and that the 
ring moves in the plane of his equator. 
Herschel has confirmed this opinion by 
actual observation. He has ascertained the 
duration of a revolution of Saturn round 
his axis to amount to 0.428 day. Huygens 
observed five belts upon this planet nearly 
parallel to the equator. 
SATYRIUM, in botany, a genus of the 
Gynandria Diandria class and order. Na- 
tural order of Orchideae. Essential charac- 
ter : nectary serotiform, or twin-inflated 
behind the flower. There are twenty-one 
species. 
SAUCISSE, or Sausage, in the military 
art, a long train of powder, sewed up in a roll 
of pitched cloth, about two inches in diame- 
ter, serving to set fire to mines. There are 
usually two saucisses extended from the 
chamber of the mine to the place where the 
engineer stands ; that in case one should 
fail, the other may take effect. 
SAUCISSON, in fortification, a mass of 
large branches of trees bound together; 
and differing only from a fascine, as this is 
composed of small branches of twigs. Sau- 
cissons are employed to cover the men, and 
to make epaulements. 
SAVILLE (Sir Henry), in biography, 
a very learned Englishman, the second son 
of Henry Saville, Esq. was born at Brad- 
ley, near Halifax, in Yorkshire, November 
the 30th, 1549. He was entered of Mer- 
ton College, Oxford, in 1561, where he took 
the degrees in arts, and was chosen fellow, 
VYhen he proceeded master of arts, in 1570, 
he read, for that degree, on the Almagest 
of Ptolemy, which procured him the repu- 
tation of a man eminently skilled in mathe- 
matics, and the Greek language ; in the 
former of which he voluntarily read a pub- 
lic lecture in the University for some time. 
In 1578, he travelled into France, and 
other countries ; where, diligently improv- 
ing himself in all useful learning, in lan- 
guages, and the knowledge of the world, 
he became a most accomplished gentleman. 
At his return, he was made tutor in the 
Greek tongue to Queen Elizabeth, who had 
a great esteem and respect for him. 
In 1585, he was made Warden of Mer- 
ton College, which he governed six and 
thirty years with great honour, and im- 
proved it by all the means in his power. lu 
1596, he was chosen Provost of Eton Col- 
lege ; which he filled with many learned 
men. James I. upon bis accession to the 
crown of England, expressed a great re- 
gard for him, and w'onld have preferred him 
