REPORTS OF EUROPEAN OBSERVATORIES. 587 



Sixteen observations were made of Nova Cygiii. Not much progress 

 was made in the comparative observations of double stars. The at- 

 tendant of a Scorpii was observed on the 18th of July. 



A series of observations was commenced on the double star I 1516. 



The environs of Kepler's and Tycho's Nova were observed several 

 times. 



Of variable stars minima were observed by Dr. Winnecke of S Cancri, 

 Algol, A Tauri, U Corona?, and the maximum of Mira Cetti. 



Swift's comet could not be found; Tempel's periodic comet was seen 

 on several occasions. 



The conjuction of Mercury and Venus was observed on September 30. 



Dr. Schur observed for time with Canchoix's transit ; 31 culminations 

 of the first and 29 of the second limb of the moon were observed, and 

 the opposition and quadratures of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Nep- 

 tune. 



Seventy-one comparison-stars were determined. Dr. Schur and Mr. 

 Hartwig continue with the heliometer the series of measurements of the 

 solar diameter ; 51 measurements were obtained by Dr. Schur. The 

 minimum of Algol was observed twice, that of X Tauri once. 



A series of observations with the large spectroscope was commenced 

 on the refraction of the two kinds of glass employed by Merz in the 

 construction of the 18-inch objective. 



Mr. Hartwig obtained measurements with the heliometer of the polar- 

 diameter of the sun on 103 days, and of the equatorial diameter on 10G 

 days. The same instrument was employed by him to locate the moon's 

 craters : Mosting A ; Hypatia B ; Lapeyrouse. 



The diameter of Mars and Venus were measured 2 and 7 times, re- 

 spectively ; the distances of r h 17, and vy, 27 Tauri observed in 7 nights, 

 and the 5 star-distances in Cygnus 5 times each. 



The heliometer was improved (by Messrs. Repsold) by a new position- 

 circle. 



The large comet-seeker was employed, Mr. Hartwig obtaining 2 max- 

 ima of R Vulpeculse and T Herculis, maximum of V Cancri, S Corona 1 , 

 R Orionis, S and T Ursoe Majoris, R Aquihc, R and S Herculis, R Dra- 

 conis, S Geminorum, R Camelopardi ; 2 minima of S Ursa? Majoris, and 

 the minimum of R Draconis and minima of Algol. 



Observations were made on transit of Mercury on the partial eclipse 

 of the moon and the eclipses of the satellites of Jupiter. 



The following instruments were purchased : A prism-circle by Stein- 

 heil, one Merz telescope of 101 mm aperture, one Plossl of 76 mm aperture, 

 and a Paris theodolite which has been changed to a spectrometer. A 

 2-foot Leibherr repetition-circle was presented by Director Merz. 



The buildings for the new observatory are well under way, and it is 

 hoped that they will soon be ready for occupation. 



