$26 Sir William Herschel’s observations and experiments 
There are about 66 stars in the field of view and many more 
so extremely small as not to admit of being gaged. 
Sept. 20, 1786. Right ascension ao h 40'. Polar distance 
54 0 36'. There are about 80 stars in a quadrant, or 320 in 
the field of view, besides many more too small to be distinctly 
seen. 
Oct. 14, 1787. Right ascension 2i h 57'. Polar distance from 
35 0 18' to 38° 30'. In this part of the heavens the large stars 
seem to be of the 9th and 10th magnitude. The small ones 
are gradually less till they escape the eye, so that appear- 
ances here favour the idea of a succeeding, more distant 
clustering part of the milky way. 
Sept. 18,1784. Right ascension 20 h 8'. Polar distance from 
70° 9' to 72 0 49'. The end of the stratum of the stars of the 
milky way cannot be seen. 
By these observations it appears that the utmost stretch of 
the space-penetrating power of the 20 feet telescope could 
not fathom the Profundity of the milky way, and that the 
stars which were beyond its reach must have been farther 
from us than the qoodth order of distances. 
I am far from limiting the milky way to the extent deduced 
from these observations ; but as even the distance which has 
been stated may appear doubtful, I must repeat the argu- 
ment which has been used with stars visible to the eye, but 
which now is greatly supported by telescopic vision. If the 
stars of the 3th, b’rh, and 7th magnitudes cannot be supposed 
to be gradually of a smaller physical size and brightness than 
those of the 1st, 2d, and 3d, how much less can a supposition 
be admitted that would require that the stars, which by a long 
