112 ^^EW MOVING STAR, StC* 



the queries imply, in common with the remarks here allflded 

 to, that the oxigenating matter is tvater chemically united to 

 the pofitive power of the galvanic pile. In order to accom- 

 modate this notion to the cafe of common air, I have fuppofed 

 that the oxigen of the almofphere receives a Wronger charge 

 of the power in queftion, than that which is imparted to vital 

 air; in confequence df which it takes up an additional quan* 

 tity of water, upon being diliinlted from the azotic bafis, and 

 is thus converted into oxigenous gas. Should future experi* 

 ments difcover that bodies, which are oxlgenated by given 

 portions of common air in contafl with water, acquire more 

 weight than the air iofes, the difcovery will undoubtedly open 

 a wide field for enquiry, 



JOHN GOUGH. 

 Middkffui'X, Sept. 5, 1801'. 



Leftcrfrom Tkomas YotrvG, M. D. F. B.. S. ^c, announcing 

 the DifcoverT/ of a new moving Star, by Mr. Harding, fff 

 Lilicnthal; and on other Subje^s. 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 

 Dear Sir» 



New planet 1 HAVE juft received a letter from Dr. Gaufs of BrunfwicJt/ 

 ktelydifcoveicd.p^^ R. S. dated September 11, in which he informs me that, 

 a few days before, Mr. Harding at Lilienthal had difcovered 

 *' a new moving ftar, moft probably another new planet of 

 our folar fyftem." Dr. Gaufs is certainly a perfon on whofe 

 judgment much dependance mrvy be placed : He has fent 

 fome further particulars of the difcovery to the Aftronotmet 

 Royal. 

 Maximum of I lake this opportunity of making a criticifm on a work of 



deafity of water, gj.^^^ experimental merit which has lately appeared. It re- 

 lates to the apparent expanfion of water in a velfel of glafs. 

 Mr. Leflie calculates, from the fuppofition that the expanfion 

 of water is proportional to the fquare of the degrees of tem- 

 perature above the freezing point, and from the expanfion of 

 glafs meafured by General Roy, that the apparent maximum 



of 



