526 Zoological Society, 



preceding observations was 12*" 44^,5, differing only ,2^ from the 

 present determination. 



V. Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites, observed at Edinburgh. By 

 Professor Henderson. 



VI. Lunar Occultations observed at Edinburgh. By Professor 

 Henderson. A table of these, giving the date, true sidereal time, 

 object, phsenomena, and remarks, appears in the Monthly Notices. 



VII. Immersion of 47 Gerninorum at Moon's dark limb, April 1, 

 1838. By R. Snow, Esq. Corrected sidereal time, 14^ 25'" 4^73. 



VIII. The President read an extract of a letter from Mr. Hender^ 

 son relative to the remarkable increase of magnitude, in rj Argus, 

 recently noticed by Sir John Herschel, as mentioned at the last 

 meeting of the Society (ante, p. 521.). Mr. Henderson states that 

 the star is not to be found at all in Ptolemy's catalogue, although the 

 bright stars of the Cross and the Centaur, which culminated as low 

 at Alexandria, are inserted in it. From this circumstance he infers 

 that, at this remote period, the star was not very bright. It is not 

 in Bayer's maps ; and in Halley's catalogue it is said to be of the 

 fourth magnitude, which is less than some of the neighbouring stars 

 that in modern times cannot compete with it. It would thus appear 

 that the star has for a long period been increasing in brightness ; 

 and it will be remarkable if it should surpass the brightest at pre- 

 sent known. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 

 [Continued from p. 451.] 



March 28, 1837. — Mr. Chambers read a paper upon the habits and 

 geographical distribution of Humming Birds, and exhibited the nest 

 and eggs of the only species {Trochilus coluhris,) which visits the United 

 States, and which is there very commonly bred in confinement. 

 Mr. Chambers adverted to the probability of success if attempts were 

 made to domesticate these birds in this country. A lady residing 

 at Boston informed him that in that city they are readily reared in 

 cages, and she expressed great surprise on hearing that only one 

 instance had occurred of their being domesticated in England, as the 

 climate so nearly corresponds. 



The first part of a paper was then read by F. Debell Bennett, 

 Esq., corresponding member, on " The Natural History of the Sper- 

 maceti Whale." 



Mr. Yarrell then brought before the notice of the meeting " A 

 Synopsis of the Fishes of Madeira," by the Rev. R. T. Lowe, Cor- 

 responding Member of the Society. This synopsis includes all the 

 Fishes hitherto found at Madeira, with observations upon many of 

 the species, and the character of such genera and species as are 

 new. The Author has also drawn up a table, showing the com- 

 parative number and distribution of the British, Mediterranean, and 

 Madeiran Fishes. It appears from this, that notwithstanding the 

 uniformity of its shores, both in structure and materials, occasioning 

 a corresponding uniformity in food and shelter, that the number of 

 marine species found at Madeira equals two thirds the amount be- 

 longing to the British seas. 



