76 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



Wilier* Point, N. Y.: Field Observatory of Engineer Battalion. 

 Brig.-Gen. Henry L. Abbot, U.S.A., Director. 



In reply to your request for information about our astronomical 

 work, I would say that this post constitutes the school of applica- 

 tion, at which officers of engineers receive facilities for becoming 

 familiar with the practical duties of the coitjs. 



In astronomy, we have a good field observatory, provided with all 

 the instruments used in first-class boundary work, including Transits, 

 Zenith Telescopes, Astronomical Telescopes, Sextants, Break-circuit Chro- 

 nometers, and Field Chronographs. 



The work during the past season has consisted in the usual obser- 

 vations for latitude, longitude, and time. Advantage was also taken 

 of the transit of Mercury. A 5-inch Equatorial, used on the transit 

 of Venus, was borrowed from the Naval Observatory, and a good set 

 of observations were made. A detached report was sent to Admi- 

 ral Rodgers, which will appear in his general report upon the sub- 

 ject. 



For several years past a regular nightly series of records of displays 

 of the Aurora Borealis has been systematically kept, which I propose 

 to publish at some future time. They show clearly the well-known 

 law connecting them with solar spots. 



Yellow Springs, 0. : Observatory of Antioch College. 

 Professor Chas. H. Chandler, Director. 



Your circular asking for an account of our observatory is received. 

 I am very sorry that the fact is that we have none. We have a very 

 good Telescope, by Alvan Clark & Sons, of 12^ centimeters (4.94 

 inches) aperture, mounted equatorially upon a portable tripod, as we 

 have no building for its permanent location. This, with a Negus 

 Chronometer and a small Pistor & Martins Reflecting Circle, consti- 

 tutes all the instruments that are in any way available for astro- 

 nomical purposes. 



These instruments are used only for instruction in the regular col- 

 lege classes, and the press of instruction devolving upon me is such 

 as to prevent other work on my part. 



REPORTS OF EUROPEAN OBSERVATORIES. 



THE OBSERVATORIES OF ITALY. 



Professor Rayet, of Marseilles, has recently been deputed by the 

 Minister of Public Instruction of France to visit the various observ- 

 atories of Italy, and to report upon them. His report is published 

 in the Archives des Missions Scientiflques, 3 me seric, tome iii., p. 529. 



