158 REIPORTS OF INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



of value in our work, so far as opportunity may be offered to execute such 

 researches of special importance. 



After my return here I procured additional assistance for the observatory 

 in San Luis, and on the steamer sailing from New York to Buenos Aires 

 on August 20 a reinforcement of 3 recorders was sent to the new observa- 

 tory. These are Louis Z. Mearns, Merton J. Roy, and Leroy Jenkins. This 

 brings the staff at San Luis up to 10 persons, with a prospective probability 

 of greater results in the department of computations. 



The distractions due to the two expeditions have greatly interfered with 

 the progress of computations in Albany. The staff here consists of 2 assist- 

 ants and 6 computers — a force entirely inadequate to handle the immense 

 mass of computations in prospect. The computations effected during the 

 year consist in continuing the preparation of the provisional positions and 

 ephemerides of 20,000 stars, which are destined to form a part of the large 

 General Catalogue projected here. Other work of considerable extent has 

 been accomplished in this same line. Extensive routine computations in 

 relation to the proper motions of the stars contained in our Preliminary 

 General Catalogue have also been effected. Various other computations, of 

 a routine nature, upon the accumulated Albany observations with the me- 

 ridian-circle have consumed a large amount of time. Progress can be re- 

 ported in some important lines of investigation, involving laborious details. 

 These may be treated in later reports, whenever definite results shall have 

 been reached. 



In the few months between the date of my previous report and the dis- 

 mounting of the instrument 3,526 observations were made with the meridian- 

 circle at Albany. This makes a total of 13,947 such observations by Messrs. 

 Roy and Varnum from October 7, 1907, to November i, 1908 — very largely 

 upon fundamental stars. These observations, with others to be made on 

 the return of the meridian-circle to Albany, are a part of the plan of cor- 

 responding observations to be made at the two observatories. There is now 

 good reason to anticipate that the proposed method of combination will result 

 in a good degree of success. 



The manuscript of the Preliminary General Catalogue was turned over 

 to the President of the Carnegie Institution of Washington in August, 1908 

 (Year Book for 1908, p. 141). The nature of this work has been sufficiently 

 described in my reports contained in the Year Books for 1906, 1907, and 

 1908. This manuscript was turned over to the printer in December, 1908. 

 Much has been accomplished in passing proof for the press ; but owing to 

 my long absence there have been considerable periods during which no 

 definite progress could be made. The completion of the final proofs and the 

 publication of the Catalogue ought now to proceed without interruption. 



