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202 compound character like the bright rings. It is not improbable that, with increased power, or in consequence of organic changes, rings still nearer the planet may yet be discovered.

From the above consideration it is extremely probable, that the bright rings do not differ in nature from the obscure ring. The difference is likely only one of compression. The individual bodies in the bright rings may be so closely compacted, that we cannot, at this distance, see through the interstices.

Is any corroboration of this view furnished by the phenomena of growth? The increase of the breadth of the rings would naturally result from the collision of the innumerable bodies moving in a contracted zone, and with orbits crossing each other. The effect of such collisions would be to arrest the motion of the bodies coming in contact, and the result of this arrested motion would be to bring them nearer the planet. The tendency of the meteoric stones that fall upon the surface of the earth, must be to check its orbitual motion, when they come in a contrary direction; and just in proportion as its speed is slackened, must it narrow its orbit. The mass of such bodies is so small, that no sensible approach to the sun can be looked for; but if the mass of the earth was smaller, the effect would be very perceptible. In this way may we conceive that the rings are drawn out. The smaller bodies would be piecipitated most rapidly, and the transparency of the obscure would be