382. _Condensation of Nebulæ._--The appearance of the nebula just mentioned suggests a body rotating on its axis, and undergoing condensation at the same time. It is now a generally received theory that nebulæ are the material out of which stars are formed. According to this theory, the stars originally existed as nebulæ, and all nebulæ will ultimately become condensed into stars. [Illustration: Fig. 447.] [Illustration: Fig. 448.] [Illustration: Fig. 449.] 383. _Other Spiral Nebulæ._--Fig. 447 represents a spiral nebula of the _Great Bear_. This nebula seems to have several centres of condensation. Fig. 448 is a view of a spiral nebula in _Cepheus_, and Fig. 449 of a singular spiral nebula in the _Triangle_. This also appears to have several points of condensation. Figs. 450 and 451 represent oval and elliptical nebulæ having a spiral structure. [Illustration: Fig. 450.] [Illustration: Fig. 451.] _THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS._ [Illustration: Fig. 452.] 384. _Situation and General Appearance of the Magellanic Clouds._--The _Magellanic clouds_ are two nebulous-looking bodies near the southern pole of the heavens, as shown in the right-hand portion of Fig. 452. In the appearance and brightness of their light they resemble portions of the Milky-Way. [Illustration: Fig. 453.] The larger of these clouds is called the _Nubecula Major_. It is visible to the naked eye in strong moonlight, and covers a space about two hundred times the surface of the moon. It is shown in Fig. 453. The smaller cloud is called the _Nubecula Minor_. It has only about a fourth the extent of the larger cloud, and is considerably less brilliant. It is visible to the naked eye, but it disappears in full moonlight. This cloud is shown in Fig. 454. The region around this cloud is singularly bare of stars; but the magnificent cluster of _Toucan_, already described (346), is near, and is shown a little to the right of the cloud in the figure. [Illustration: Fig. 454.] [Illustration: Fig. 455.]