36 ANNUAL KECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



was not only the incipient observatory of the country, "but 

 was the electric spark which led to the universal cultivation 

 of astronomy as a science in the United States, and, in time, 

 to the establishment^ of the noble institutions which crown 

 so many of our highest promontories. The example set by 

 Cincinnati was not without influence in the founding of such 

 observatories as we find now at Washington, Cambridge, Al- 

 bany, and many other places all over the country." After al- 

 luding to the labors of Mitchell, who was not daunted by the 

 unfortunate fire that in the very first year of the existence of 

 the observatory destroyed his previous means of support, and 

 after dwelling upon the practical usefulness of the labors of 

 Professor Abbe, and the new and, as he hoped, firm founda- 

 tion upon which the future prosperity of the observatory 

 seems now to be assured, he concludes with the expression 

 of his belief, in which, we are sure, all who are conversant 

 Avith the fact will unite, " that the Cincinnati Observatory is 

 a noble monument to its founders, and a hundred years hence 

 the descendants of the present and former generations will 

 point to it with pride." Judge Hoadley followed Mr. King- 

 by a short address, in Avhich he contrasted the labors of the 

 astronomer, gauging the heavens with his telescope, and 

 those of the Challenger^ now dredging the ocean. The cor- 

 ner-stone was then laid, with an apj^ropriate address by 

 Mayor Johnston, and the assemblage adjourned to a beauti- 

 ful grove near by. Cincinnati Commercial. 



DISTKIBUTION OF THE STAES. 



Among the astronomical works executed of late years, and 

 havinfic a bearing: on our ideas concerninq- the construction of 

 the universe, none seem more worthy to rank with the labors 

 of the Herschels and the Struves than Die Durchmiisterung ; 

 or, The Marshaling of the Northern Heavens, by Argelander. 



This work embraces accurate observations of 324,000 stars, 

 and the preparation of large and elaborate charts, showing 

 graphically the position of these stars. In order to make use 

 of this work in obtaining a general view of the distribution 

 of the stars. Proctor has compiled an equal surface chart on a 

 small scale, showing the number of stars in each square de- 

 gree ; and from a study of this he deduced some interesting 

 vi%ws, which were published in the year 1870. Astronomers 



