Page:Gods Glory in the Heavens.djvu/215

Rh some have observed a structure in the whole breadth of the rings, similar in appearance to a flat coil of rope, or the ribbed texture of corduroy, rendering it probable that the rings are composed of small bodies closely packed and arranged like concentric strings of beads laid flat on a table. The bodies, on this hypothesis, have no rigid connexion, and move in independent orbits. They are, however, so closely packed together, that they appear as one body. The zone of the asteroids quite corresponds to this. Seventy-one have already (1861) been discovered; and it is probable, from the rate of discovery, that there are thousands upon thousands within the circumscribed zone. To an eye properly situated, and at a sufficient distance, this zone would appear as a faint ring. If more compressed, they would be bright, like the rings of Saturn. These asteroids are probably of every size. Some are large as a kingdom or a county; others are miniature worlds, of the size of Arthur's Seat; and some may dwindle down to the magnitude of a cannon-ball. We may suppose them so arranged as to leave gaps corresponding to the divisions of Saturn's rings.

Again, the obscure ring of Saturn may be compared to the zodiacal light. It will be seen from our figure of the planet, that the recently discovered ring is transparent, as the limb of the disc is seen through it. It is most probably composed of some discrete substance like dust, as it does not comport itself like