THE PLANET SATURN.

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the visible portions of which are respectively marked kaJm,and BbrR, would seem to he wider upon the meridian froma to b, and b to r, than upon the horizon from a to b, and b tor respectively; and that a circle drawn round the pole andpassing on the horizon through a, the outer edge of the outerring, would cross the zenith at s 1 , i.e., above a, the correspond-ing point of the ring. While it is in like manner evident thata similar circumpolar circle through a, although not drawn inthe figure, would meet the horizon to the south of a.

Fig . LXXXVII.—Saturn’s rings, as seen from the Planet , and their effect in producingeclipses of the Sun.

Zenith.

This being the case, we may understand how erroneous aresome of the statements that have occasionally been made withregard to the effects which the shadow of the rings would pro-duce upon the half of the planet towards which their darkside would periodically be turned. It has even been said, thatit would prevent the inhabitants of that hemisphere, for themost part, from seeing the Sun for nearly 15 years at a time.

We recommend those who wish to study this matter fully toconsult the very instructive volume by Mr. Proctor, to whichwe have already referred. It must, however, he confessed that