115 



VI. MADISON, THE CAPITAL OF WISCONSIN. 



In our former paper, we gave an approximation to the geographical 

 position of this place, derived from unsatisfactory observations made 

 during unfavourable weather, which cut us off from a selection of 

 pairs of stars well matched in declination for eliminating errors of 

 observation, either for the determination of the latitude or the longitude. 



The approximate result then arrived at appears, from more accu- 

 rate observations recently made, to have given the latitude too great 

 by about 9". 5, and the longitude too little by about ls.2 of time. 

 This, however, was far more accurate than the position assigned to 

 Madison on any of the maps extant. 



These more recent observations are now presented, as follows, viz: 



IsL The Latitude. 1859, June Ath. At Madison Station No. 2.* 



1. By 21 circum-meiidian altitudes of » Virginis, 

 soutii, combined with 17 altitudes ofPolaris, north: q 

 latitude of station, - - - - 43 04 25 



2. Same night — By 21 circum-meridian altitudes of 

 i3 Librae, south, combined with 17 other altitudes 

 ofPolaris, north, observed at a later hour of the 



night than the 1st set, - - - 43 04 25.24 



Result adopted— LidxiudiQ of xMadison station No. 2, 43 04 25.12 N. 

 Reduction to the dome of the State Capital, + 5.68 



Latitude of the dome of the State Capital, - 43 04 30.8 N. 



Here the stars are well paired with regard to their altitudes when 

 observed, north and south, and the above result is, therefore, believed 

 to-be a pretty close approximation to the true latitude of this place. 



2d. Observations for the Time. Same night (June Uh, 1859), 

 and, saine station. 

 Sidereal chronometer No. 2557, fast: 



1st Set. 

 By 10 observations on « Canum Vena- h. m. s. 



ticorum, west (at 16/i. 43m.) 1 45 42.17 



By 10 observations on a, Cygni, east 



(at 17/i. 00m.) - - 1 45 43.15 



* This station and its position relatively with that of the dome of the State 

 Capital, will be found described in Vol. VL. at page 386 of the Society's 

 Proceedings. 



