As to the belts, they are usually straight; but cases are recorded of slant-belts, in which the direction has been very oblique. One of these was noticed in the planet’s N. hemisphere in Mar.-April 1860, and another was seen in the S. hemisphere in Jan. 1872. I observed one near the N. polar shading in Dec. 1881. _New Belts._—The formation of the dark belts seems to be brought about gradually, and they appear to be sustained in certain cases by eruptions of dark matter, which gradually spread out into streams. On Oct. 17, 1880, two dark spots, separated by 20° of longitude, broke out on a belt some 25° N. of the equator. Other spots quickly formed on each side of the pair alluded to, and distended themselves along the belt so that by Dec. 30 they covered three fourths of its entire circumference. At the middle of January the spots formed a complete girdle round the planet; but they became much fainter, and were soon eradicated by combination with the belt on which they had appeared. _Changes on Jupiter._—Prof. Hough, of Chicago, is adverse to the opinion that rapid changes occur on Jupiter, and mentions the stability of the red spot and other markings in support of his views. He believes that the erroneous statements about sudden changes made by both ancient and modern astronomers are largely due to differences in the telescopic images due to atmospheric variations. No doubt such an explanation will suffice to meet some instances, and the swift rotation of the planet may also have been the unsuspected cause of some of the extraordinary changes described; but there are real variations as well. These are very frequent in the planet’s equatoreal zone. _Further Observations required._—Drawings of Jupiter obtained under the highest powers that may be employed with advantage, and with a cautious regard to faithful delineation, will probably throw much light on the phenomena occurring in this planet’s atmosphere. And it is most desirable to pursue the various markings year after year with unflagging perseverance; for it is only by such means that we can hope to unravel the extraordinary problem which their visible behaviour offers for solution. Too much stress cannot possibly be laid on the necessity of observers being as precise as possible in their records. The times when an object comes to the central meridian should be invariably noted; for this affords a clue to its longitude, and a means of determining its velocity. Its position, N. or S. of the equator, should be either measured or estimated; and alterations in tone, figure, or tint described, with a view to ascertain its real character.