and Astronomical Notices. 359 



6, effect on magnetic needle ; 6, appearance as to brightness, colour, 

 and texture ; 7, falling stars ; 8, other remarks. 



4. The Asteroids. — With reference to the now so numerous family 

 of asteroids, the Rev. Temple Chevallior, writing lately from Dur- 

 ham, says, — 



*' Our observer, Mr Carrington, has lately computed with much 

 care the positions of the orbits of all the small planets, with relation 

 to two planes at right angles to the ecliptic and to one another, and 

 has constructed a model representing them all. This has brought 

 to light a remarkable relation, hitherto, I believe, unobserved. 



** All the orbits are so arranged, both in reference to their planes 

 and the position of their points of perihelion, that all the orbits ap- 

 proach very nearly to one another in about heliocentric longitude 

 185°. 



*' This was made out for the first twelve planets before the disco- 

 very of Egeria ; and I was very anxious to see whether her orbit 

 would conform to the rule. It does so, in a very remarkable manner, 

 the path of Egeria coming abruptly down to the point of concourse 

 as that of Pallas rises still more abruptly from the same region of 

 space. 



" Whether this relation may exist or not for planets still to be 

 discovered, or should fail, it must have a marked influence on the 

 perturbations of those planets, and may lead to remarkable conse- 

 quences in the theory of their physical connection." 



5. Bond's Third Ring of Saturn. — In the matter of Bond's new 

 ring of Saturn, it seems that the important character of the dis- 

 covery was much underrated in the last notice, for although no 

 accurate series of measures has yet been published, it seems certain 



4. For observations of this kind, the instrument proposed by Prof. Challis 

 (Brit. Assoc. Reports for 1848) may be used. Persons accustomed to geome- 

 trical considerations may arrange methods suited to the place of observation. 

 A pocket compass, well used, will give azimuths nearly. A vertical pole will 

 enable an adroit person to get altitudes and directions accurately by adjusting 

 and marking his own position. 



5. The horizontal variation of a needle (suspended by silk fibres, or a single 

 hair, or very delicately pivoted) is often very sensible in aurora, and deserves 

 careful attention. The needle must be absolutely free from shake by current* 

 of air, and not be subject to variable influence of iron. It is desirable to ob- 

 serve also the dipping-needle, but for that purpose adequate apparatus is only 

 in few hands. 



6. Here describe the appearances and variations of the arch, beam, or corona, 

 which is the subject of observation. Are stars seen through the aurora ? Is 

 the light steady, or subject to flashings, or broken by dark patches, or marked 

 by pulsations ? Is there redness ? If there be various colours, how are they 

 disposed ? How do they succeed one another ? 



7. If falling stars are noticed, state the precise hour, minute, and second, of 

 the occurrence, and give their appearance and path among the stars. 



8. Notices and suggestions not provided for in previous columns may be 

 placed here. The indications of the barometer and thermometer, and of the 

 wet and dry-bulb thermometer ; the state of the weather previously ; the direc- 

 tion of the wind ; the probable height of clouds, Ac, are worthy of record. 



