With reference to the narrow division in the outer ring, usually termed “Encke’s division,” astronomers would regard it as a gratifying advance could the doubts overhanging this feature be removed. Is it a real division in the ring, or simply a pencil-line of shading on the flat surface? Is it constant in place and appearance, or does it frequently exhibit changes both as to intensity and position? Judging from prior experiences, this particular object would appear to be extremely fugitive, and incapable of being assigned either a definite place or aspect. Yet the more pronounced and well-attested details of Saturn show no such vagaries: Cassini’s division seems invariable. Are we therefore to surmise that the curious behaviour of Encke’s division is to be referred to errors of observation arising from the effects of unsteady air upon a very delicate object? It is for future observers to answer these questions, and this will entail no ordinary effort, for the same impediments will be encountered in the future as in the past. But fortunately our science is rapidly progressive, and there is no doubt the mystery of Encke’s division will find-its solution before long. A powerful telescope, and a keen and continuous study of the outer ring, will enable some discriminating observer to tell us the true story of its phenomena. Many other points in the Saturnian system require renewed attention, but some of them appear to be so doubtful as to scarcely deserve mention. Possibly the student had better commence his review of the planet without any of the bias or prejudice which former observations might occasion. But it is as well to know the true state of the case; for the judgment of a careful observer is not likely to be warped by preconception, and of course some of the doubtful observations may be amply verified at a future time. Several of these have already been briefly referred to, and a few others may here be noted. The form of the shadow thrown on the rings from the ball has been observed of a curious shape, and M. Trouvelot supposes it to be variable and occasioned by changes on the level surface of the rings. The same observer has noticed transverse notches in the edges of the inner bright ring. Evidence of variation is not entirely wanting in regard to the chief division, and observers should notice whether it appears uniformly black, as it has been suggested that a gauze ring fills the interval. Exterior to the outer ring a faint luminosity has also been suspected, as though the phenomenon of the inner ring had its counterpart here. The colour of the belts on the ball should be ascribed by careful estimates, as many such observations may give an insight into the variations occurring. Some observers have alleged that the transparent ring of Bond and Dawes is subject to very perceptible alterations. It must be remembered, however, that the visible aspect of this exceedingly delicate structure is much affected by the condition