106 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [MAR. 7, 



March Tth, 1892. 

 Regular Business Meeting. 



The President, Dr. Hubbard, in the chair. About twenty-five 

 persons present. 



The minutes of February 4th, 1892, were read and approved. 



The Astronomical Section then organized. Prof. Eees in the 

 chair. In the absence of the Secretary, Mb. Jacoby, the reading 

 of the minutes of the Section was dispensed with. Prof. Rees 

 announced the discovery of a new star in the constellation Aurigae 

 by a Scotch astronomer; the star is between the fifth and sixth 

 magnitudes; attention was called to it by an anonymous postal 

 card. Its spectrum has been observed. 



Prof. J. K. Rees delivered a lecture on — 



Ancient Astronomical Instruments. 



Prof. Rees explained by the aid of lantern slides the forms of 

 instruments used by the Egyptians and Arabians, Chinese and 

 Europeans. These included specimens of gnomons, obelisks, pyra- 

 mids, sundials, graduated circles, astrolabes, quadrants, sextants, 

 etc. Especial attention was given to the instruments employed 

 by Tycho Brahe at his observatory at Huen. 



Prof. Rees called on Mr. C. A. Post, who explained his plans 

 for a portable observatory with the aid of lantern views. The 

 wooden building cost only $250 ; whereas a dome of equal size 

 would cost $2500. This observatory was built at Rockaway, 

 N. Y. 



Prof. Rees asked if the roof was water-tight. 



Mr. Post said that it had been in use all winter, and he found it 

 more satisfactory in this respect than a corrugated iron roof; in 

 fact, it is absolutely water-tight. 



Mr. Jacoby spoke of the complete ventilation secured by the 

 perfectl}^ wide opening. 



Meeting adjourned. 



