Possible role of dwarf galaxies and globular clusters in forming the L/sub 1a/ and 21-cm absorption lines in the spectra of distant quasars

The paper gives the main observational characteristics of class I and II absorption lines formed in the spectra of distant quasars when there are gas complexes on the line of sight in intervening objects. The emphasis is placed on discussion of the possible nature of the objects responsible for the appearance of numerous class II lines (so-called L/sub a/ -forest lines). Also considered is the possible nature of the clouds in which the 21-cm absorption lines sometimes observed in the quasar radio spectra are formed. On the basis of the narrowness of these lines (<10 km/sec) and under the assumption that the objects responsible for their formation are gravitationally bound, the luminosities, sizes, and masses of the complexes are estimated. In their characteristics, these objects are similar to globular clusters, but only with a relatively large amount of gas (about 50M/sub ./)