it, it was observed, that while the arms were decreasing, both in length and breadth, the eastern arm appeared a little larger than the other for three or four nights, and yet it vanished first, for after two nights interruption, by clouds, the western arm alone was seen. In the same year, also, the arms appeared twice as short as usual. In 1774, both the arms appeared completely detached from the planet, and the eastern one larger than the other. From these observations, it is natural to conclude that there are irregularities on the surface of the ring, and that the disappearance of the arms arises from a curvature in its surface. The disappearances and re-appearances of the ring succeed each other very exactly, and in the same order during each sidereal revolution of Saturn; the following are the epochs in which these phenomena have been observed: After this month, it will be the northern plane of the ring that is visible; in the year 1838 it will attain its greatest ellipticity, and in the year 1847 again become invisible. Some philosophers have considered the ring of Saturn as a sort of Aurora Borealis, or shining fluid; others that this luminous zone is the tail of a comet, which the attraction of Saturn has compelled to circulate round him for these, and similar opinions, there is no foundation, as it is probable that the ring is as dense if not more so than the planet; the light of the ring appears sufficiently bright when the disc of Saturn is scarcely perceptible. Uranus on the 1st, about half a degree north of in Capricornus. This planet, when examined under the most favorable circumstances, exhibits a beautiful planetary disc, without the slightest appearance of any ring, either perpendicular or horizontal. Sphere of the Fixed Stars. Direction of the zodiac on the 1st day, at 8 in the evening. Aries and Pisces rising. Aquarius S. E. by E. Capricornus S.S. E. Sagittarius on the meridian. Scorpio S.W. by S. Libra S.W. by W. Libra S.W. by W. Virgo setting. TELESCOPIC OBJECTS. Sagittarius. This zodiacal constellation is remarkable for its nebulæ, some of which are of a singular description. North of the bow of Sagittarius is a train of faint light with stars. Between the bow of Sagittarius and right foot of Ophiuchus, is a mass of stars of the 8th and 9th magnitudes, surrounded by nebulosity; a similar appearance is also near the star 11. Near 25 is a small nebula. Near the extremity of the bow of Sagittarius, in the Via Lactea, is great nebulosity, containing several stars, the light divided into several parts. The star 9 is encircled with a faint light. Near A is a round nebula. Below the left arm of Sagittarius are two nebulæ, one of which is like a small |