72 Royal Astronomical Society. 



municatfcd to the Royal Astronomical Society and to foreign astro- 

 nomers. 



The meridional observations of 1847 are completely reduced. The 

 equatoreal observations are less forward. 



The volume for 1843 is nearly ready for publication. It does not 

 contain the equatoreal observations, which are reserved for separate 

 publication. Two appendices are added; one containing so many 

 of the observations made in search of the planet Neptune as are re- 

 quired to substantiate the statements given in the special report of 

 Dec. 12, 1846 ; and the other a description of the Northumberland 

 telescope and dome, drawn up by the Astronomer Royal. 



Liverpool. 



A very fine equatoreal has recently been erected at the Liverpool 

 observatory. The general form of the instrument has been mentioned 

 in former Notices ; and it promises, so far as we have heard, to be 

 the most accurate and most convenient instrument of its size now 

 existing. The object-glass is by Merz of Munich, of eight inches 

 aperture ; and as it has been approved of by Messrs. Dawes and 

 Lassell, most capable and somewhat fastidious judges, there can be 

 no doubt of its superior excellence. In firmness and steadiness the 

 equatoreal is reported to resemble a meridian instrument. The hour- 

 circle is carried, as in the Northumberland telescope, by clock-work, 

 and the right ascension is read off at once by the verniers. The 

 Astronomer Royal, under whose direction the instrument was con- 

 structed, has given a perpetual motion to this hour-circle by clock- 

 work moved by a water-wheel, to which a regulator is applied. The 

 variation of the clock does not exceed P per hour. The declination 

 and hour-circles are sufficiently good to give excellent results when 

 objects are compared beyond the limits of the micrometer, an im- 

 mense advantage when time is wanting and the weather is uncer- 

 tain, and in all cases a great comfort, as it secures perfect identifi- 

 cation. 



We do not know certainly what line of astronomical research Mr. 

 Hartnup will take up. He will do most wisely to follow his own 

 inclination ; but such an instrument would be very well employed in 

 observing the planets, for instance, especially the smaller planets, 

 when they cannot be observed on the meridian at Greenwich. This 

 would not only complete the series of the Greenwich observations, 

 but would greatly relieve the Cambridge observatory, on which this 

 branch of observing has of late pressed heavily*. 



* It is desirable that a semi- public observatory like Liverpool should 

 take a determinate line. We have every reason to admire the zeal and 

 steadiness of our amateur observers, many of whom might be cited as mo- 

 dels in these respects ; but they ought not to be tied down to a strictness 

 and continuity of research which must often be inconvenient and some- 

 times impossible. 



