l62 REPORTS ON INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



Secondly, the staff gave its entire energy to the work of observation with- 

 out attempting much in the subsequent reductions, and this energy was mani- 

 festly very great and well organized. The result was that on the majority 

 of clear nights the instrument was in use by two or three observers at each 

 tour of duty (4 to 6 hours) from sunset to sunrise — one observer at the 

 telescope and another at the microscope, four of which were read at each 

 observation. 



The staff at San Luis labored with extraordinary zeal and determination, 

 as must be evident to any one acquainted with the details of such work. 

 Each man seemed strongly to feel his individual responsibility, especially as 

 they had decided to accomplish within two years a work originally estimated 

 as likely to cover four years, supposing it to be carried on at high pressure. 

 It scarcely need be stated that the health of several members of the staff, at 

 various times, and especially near the end, became seriously impaired. 



On the eve of the departure of Professor Tucker from San Luis promi- 

 nent residents of that place gave a banquet in his honor and presented him 

 with a gold medal commemorative of the observatory and its work, together 

 with an address engrossed and signed, congratulating him upon the success 

 of his work. 



At this date (September 15) considerable progress has been made in re- 

 mounting the transit circle on its old piers at Albany. Messrs. Roy and 

 Varnum have taken the most responsible part in this work. With their 

 experience it has been possible to accomplish this remounting in a much 

 more satisfactory and precise manner than on any former occasion when 

 this work has been undertaken, either here or at San Luis. The instrumental 

 tests will follow as soon as practicable, and it is proposed to resume the 

 corresponding observations at Albany before next winter. 



