OP ARTS AND SCIENCES : NOVEMBER 12, 1862. 83 



Bessel in the Fundamenta Astronomice, the earliest trusty telescopic 

 determinations ; and this circumstance has seemed a sufficient reason 

 for leaving the oi'iginal epoch of computation unchanged, although a 

 date nearer to the present time of publication would of course appear 

 to be more natural. The small pamphlet now submitted contains only 

 the last results of the laborious and protracted investigation which has 

 long been prepared for the " Records and Results of the U. S. Coast 

 Survey," of which it constitutes one volume. This work has been long 

 delayed, in spite of the efforts of the Superintendent, and the present 

 war threatens to postpone the publication for an indefinite period. 

 It has now seemed desirable to the Superintendent of the Survey for 

 many reasons to circulate in type the results long since disseminated in 

 manuscript. Dr. Gould added, that, while the places here given were, 

 in his belief, the best yet attainable, — nevertheless, since each new 

 measurement furnished new materials for the research, he proposed to 

 continue the work hitherto accomplished, by the periodic incorporation 

 with the old data of the results of recent observation, that the limits of 

 possible error may be reduced to a minimum, and that astronomers 

 may hereafter find ready access at all times to the best positions for 

 fundamental stars which the condition of practical astronomy affords. 



The committee to whom was recommitted the proposed 

 draught of amendments to the Statutes and Standing Votes 

 reported them back to the Academy for enactment, recom- 

 mending, however, the adoption of the amendment of the 

 draught of the Statute, Chapter lY., Section 2, essentially as 

 proposed at the former session. 



The propositions being severally put to vote, the following 

 were duly enacted as Statutes : — 



Chapter III., Section 3. The President, or in his absence the next 

 officer as above enumerated, shall nominate members to serve on all the 

 Committees of the Academy which are 7iot chosen by ballot. 



Chapter IV., Section 1. At the Annual Meeting there shall be chosen 

 the following Standing Committees, to serve for the year ensuing, viz. : 



2. The Committee of Finance, to consist of the President, Treasurer, 

 and one Fellow chosen by ballot; who shall have charge of the investment 

 and management of the funds and trusts of the Academy. The general 

 appropriations for the expenditures of the Academy shall be moved by 

 this Committee at the Annual Meeting, and all special appropriatio7is 



