65 



REMARKS. 



If the results deduced from the preceding observations 

 should be admitted, it follows that the brightest fixed stars 

 are not so near to us as some others. « Aquilae, which is 

 far exceeded in splendor by « Lyras and Arcturus is only at 

 half the distance of the two latter. However extraordinary 

 this may appear, it results from observations that appear to 

 me fully adequate for the conclusion. 



My observations on a. Lyroe were commenced with the 

 view of examining the question of parallax ; but the results 

 of the observations of a A-quilae forced themselves as it were 

 on my notice. This star would not on any account have been 

 selected for the investigation. The effect of the annual pa- 

 rallax in declination is only about half the whole parallax; 

 The star itself has not that splendid appearance that would 

 lead us to suppose it as near as many others. Also its 2enith 

 distance in this latitude being so much as 45', some uncer- 

 tainty in so delicate an enquiry might be apprehended from 

 refraction. 



My conclusions may be considered as deriving little or no 

 support from the results of the observations of M. Piazzi. 



According to him (as appears from the Conn, des Temps 

 3808) the double parallax of a Lyrai is nearly five seconds, 

 according to me only two seconds. 



VOL. XII. . L 



