Royal Astronomical Society. 71 



therto received in the voluntary revision of his work, first from Mr. 

 Harris, our late assistant- secretary, and latterly from Mr. William 

 LufF, of Oxford. Mr. LufF has most kindly undertaken to read the 

 proof-sheets and to revise the additions* ; and from the great care 

 employed, it is hoped few typographical errors escape. When any 

 errors are detected, Mr. Johnson hopes that they will be communi- 

 cated to him. 



The entire expense of printing these observations is borne by the 

 RadclifFe trustees. The beautiful typography, and the convenient 

 size of the volumes, enhance their value, and it is gratefully acknow- 

 ledged that the trustees distribute them liberally and judiciously. 



Cambridge, 



The Syndicate appointed to visit the Cambridge Observatory made 

 a report to the Senate, of which the following is the substance : — 



The total number of observations in 1847 were, — 



With the transit 2540 



circle 2285 



Northumberland equatoreal 1400 



The observations with the meridional instruments are chiefly of 

 the sun (of which there is a very extensive series), moon, Jupiter, 

 Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, with a good series of Astraea, Flora, 

 and Iris. About 300 stars have been also observed. 



The equatoreal observations are for the most part of the minor 

 planets and comets, which could not be seen on the meridian. These 

 are Neptune, Astraea, Hebe, Iris, Flora, and the following comets : — 

 Hind's, Feb. 6 ; Mauvais', 3rd ; Miss Mitchell's ; Colla's. 



Professor Challis finds himself so much oppressed with unreduced 

 and unpublished observations, that he has discontinued observations 

 of the sun, moon, and the older planets since the beginning of this 

 yearf. The recently- discovered planets are observed on the meri- 

 dian and with the Northumberland equatoreal, and the results com- 



* ** The process of revision is as follows : — Mr. Luff receives the proof 

 sheet as soon as it comes from the printer. He goes over all the additions, 

 without having the copy by him ; he notes all the mistakes he finds ; then 

 the proof is collated with the copy, and it is seen which are the mistakes of 

 the printer and which of the copy. All being corrected, the proof is 

 returned to the printer. The revise is carefully read over again, and no 

 sheet is marked for press till it is clear of mistakes." 



t It is perhaps proper to inform those who are not acquainted with the 

 University of Cambridge, that Professor Challis gives lectures during one 

 term on physics, and that he is largely engaged in the university examina- 

 tions. His duties as lecturer and examiner vimt be attended to in the^rs^ 

 place, whatever the observatory business may be. The university cannot 

 afford to give such a salary as will secure persons competent to carry on 

 the computations without constant superintendence ; and when an assist- 

 ant has obtained the necessary acquirements, he is naturally and properly 

 on the look-out for a better place. It is not generally known how much 

 mere heavy labour has been actually performed by the late and present 

 professor. 



