The globe of Saturn is surrounded by a system of highly reflective rings, giving to the planet a character of form which finds no parallel among the other orbs of our system. His peculiar construction is well calculated to be attractive in the highest degree to all those who take delight in viewing the wonders of the heavens. Saturn is justly considered one of the most charming pictures which the telescope unfolds. A person who for the first time beholds the planet, encircled in his rings and surrounded by his moons, can hardly subdue an exclamation of surprise and wonder at a spectacle as unique as it is magnificent. Even old observers, who again and again return to the contemplation of this remarkable orb, confess they do so unwearyingly, because they find no parallel elsewhere; the beautifully curving outline of the symmetrical image always retains its interest, and refreshes them with thoughts of the Divine Architect who framed it! The luminous system of rings attending this planet not only gratifies the eye but gives rise to entertaining speculations as to its origin, character, and purposes with regard to the globe of Saturn. Why, it has been asked, was this planet alone endowed with so novel an appendage? and what particular design does it fulfil in the economy of Saturn? It cannot be regarded as simply an ornament in the firmament, but must subserve important ends, though these may not yet have been revealed to the eye of our understanding. _Period &c._—Saturn revolves round the Sun in 10,759 days 5 hrs. 16 min., which is equal to nearly 29½ years. His mean distance from the Sun is 886,000,000 miles, but this interval varies from 841 to 931 millions, owing to the eccentricity of his orbit. When in opposition his apparent diameter reaches 20″·7, and declines to 15″ at the time of conjunction. The planet’s actual diameter is 75,000 miles, and his polar compression very considerable, viz. about 1/10, which exceeds that of any other planet. His synodic period is equal to 378 days; so that he comes into opposition with the Sun thirteen days later every year. The oblate figure of his disk is very noticeable when the rings are turned edgeways to the Earth and practically invisible; but when they are inclined the complete contour of the globe is lost, and the polar flattening becomes scarcely obvious.