In these rings of dust, or meteorites, disturbances are produced by the attraction of the planet and that of the outer satellites, and it is yet a question whether they are a stable and permanent feature of Saturn, or will, in the course of time, be destroyed.[12] [Footnote 12: For further details about Saturn's rings, see The Tides, by G.H.Darwin, chap.

xx.] It has been thought that the gauze ring is variable in brightness.

This would tend to show that it is composed of bodies which have been drawn in toward the planet from the principal mass of the rings, and these bodies may end their career by falling upon the planet.

This process, indefinitely continued, would result in the total disappearance of the rings--Saturn would finally swallow them, as the old god from whom the planet gets its name is fabled to have swallowed his children.
Near the beginning of this chapter reference was made to the fact that Saturn's rings have been regarded as habitable bodies.

That, of course, was before the discovery that they were not solid.