Il6 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 



indicated. It would be advisable at the same time to seek for a 

 climate as free as possible from dust and cloudiness. Perhaps a 

 desirable location could be found in the Argentine Republic, prefer- 

 ably a little south of Cordoba. The climate of that city seems to 

 have lost in quality during the last few years ; the winds filled with 

 dust have become more frequent. 



\Fro7n Director H. Br tins, of the Royal Observatory, Leipsic.'\ 



[Translation.] 



I^^IVSIQ, July 2 J, I go J. 



In answering the questions proposed by you, permit me first to 

 formulate the following propositions : Astronomy, now and in the 

 future, is confronted with the task of attaining in reference to the 

 universe of stars what has already been accomplished for the solar 

 system, namelj^ a sure knowledge of the space arrangements and of 

 the motions of the bodies therein contained. Furthermore, the duty 

 is imposed upon each generation of astronomers to contribute toward 

 the attainment of that end whatever is possible with existing means. 



If, now, one reviews what has been already accomplished in this 

 field, it will be seen that the weak point is not the extent and qual- 

 ity of available observ^ations, but the unequal distribution of them 

 upon the two halves south and north of the equator. From this 

 inequality arises a sensible defect in all discussions which have for 

 their subject, not single objects or groups of objects, but the heavens 

 as a whole. Therefore, without any reservation whatever, I agree 

 with you that an attempt should be made to lessen this defect, espe- 

 cially since an effective remedy through increase in the permanent 

 observatories of the southern hemisphere is not otherwise to be 

 expected at present. 



As to that which concerns the individual propositions set forth 

 by you, I am of opinion that the strengthening of the weight of 

 exact star positions has precedence over all other things. Observa- 

 tions for parallax, velocity in the line of sight, etc., can be secured 

 at any time, whenever the means are at hand, without fear that a 

 marked disadvantage to the development of astronomy would result 

 from such delay. On the other hand, there is one thing that can- 

 not be retrieved through later observations, and that is the ' ' epoch 

 of a catalogue. 



Of the catalogue works mentioned in your communication, the 

 extension of the zones of the Astronomische Gesellschaft to the 



