136 Astronomical Society. 



dykes in Northumberland ; and of carbonate of strontian in the lead 

 measures at Fallowfield near Hexham, by William Hutton, Esq. of 

 Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 



The author discovered "Chlorophaeite" in a basaltic dyke near the 

 river Coquet, about two miles N.E. of Felton, in the form of small 

 nodules, which upon fracture exhibit the changes of colour and ap- 

 pearance mentioned by Dr. MacCulloch, who first found this mineral 

 in the Isle of Rum. This substance has also been observed by the 

 author at Coaley Hill near Newcastle, in the steatitic or earthy form, 

 and but rarely crystallized. 



ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. 



Dec. 14. — Aletter was read from Maj. Hodgson the Surveyor- General 

 of India, dated from Calcutta, April 18, 1827, accompanied by two 

 copious lists of astronomical observations. The first contained a series 

 of transits of the moon and some of the principal fixed stars, as ob- 

 served at his own house (situated 5 seconds in time, east of the 

 Flag-staff of Fort William) from November 18, 1826 to March 20, 

 1827, both inclusive. The observations are above 300 in number: 

 and the stars observed are not those which are usually denominated 

 moon-culminating stars, but consist of some of the principal stars 

 only ; and many of these situated occasionally at very considerable 

 distances from the moon in declination. In fact, the list of moon- 

 culminating stars has never yet been computed early enough to en- 

 able it to be sent to such distant places in sufficient time for the ob- 

 servations. It is therefore to be feared that correspondent observa- 

 tions of many of the stars observed by Major Hodgson may not be 

 found at the observatories in Europe. The results of the transits are 

 regularly computed by Major Hodgson, agreeably to a printed form, 

 where every step of the process is minutely laid down, and of which 

 he has forwarded to the Society two examples. It is Major Hodgson's 

 intention to continue his observations for one whole year at least, 

 and to transmit them to the Society, together with the daily compu- 

 tations showing the results. The instrument employed was a 3 1-inch 

 transit by Dollond ; but he is in expectation of a more powerful one 

 shortly from England. The second list contained a series of upwards 

 of 200 observations of the eclipses of Jupiter's satellites taken by gen- 

 tlemen in the civil service, and by officers of the Bengal army, at dif- 

 ferent times and at different places. The dates extend from July 18, 

 1795 to April 1 1, 1827 : and the names of the observers are given, 

 together with the length, the aperture, and the magnifying power, of 

 the telescope employed. Major Hodgson states that he shall trans- 

 mit several others as soon as he can collect them : for (he observes) 

 " observations of this kind have been of much use in determining 

 geographical positions in this widely extended country ; and the pro- 

 bability of obtaining correspondent observations through the medium 

 of the Astronomical Society, will excite travellers and surveyors to 

 take advantage of all opportunities of making observations of the 

 eclipses of the satellites of Jupiter, and of the culmination of the moon 

 and stars." 



A paper 



