CdR^ESPONDENCE ON ASTRONOMICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS. 73 



been proposed, has the advantage of giving a complete approximate 

 observation. 



In conclusion, whatever form the dispatches may take, it seems an 

 admirable jiroposal that for transmission across the Atlantic they shall 

 all pass between two responsible persons ; in this way only does it 

 seem possible to prevent the useless distribution of messages which are 

 obviously unintelligible. 



Ceawford & Balcarres. 



Letter from the editor of the ^^ Science Observer ^^ {and Corresponding Sec- 

 retary of the Boston Scientific Society, Boston), February 4, 1881, to the 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Dear Sir: The announcement in Monthly Notices Vol. XLI, No. 2, 

 that a letter concerning a somewhat new method for the transmission 

 of comet discoveries to your Institution across the cable, has caused 

 quite a discussion among the members of the Boston Scientific Society, 

 who are now discussing the matter in all its lights. Lack of informa- 

 tion on one or two points have been diificulties in the way, and if you 

 can inform us on these subjects you will greatly favor us. These points 

 relate to the transmission over the cable. It is customary for Govern- 

 ment messages to be composed of letters and figures, which, by keys 

 at both ends, may be translated into the vernacular. Knowing this to 

 be the case, we would respectfully inquire whether comet announcements 

 in the past have been sent in words or in figures, thus: 



Comet Swift twelfth Oct. seven twenty-three seven &c «&c, or 

 Comet Swift 12 Oct 7 2, 3 7 &c «&c 



And furthermore, we would like to know whether the new arrange- 

 ment contemplates the transmission of the words or the figure charac- 

 ters. 



Sincerely yours, 



John Eitchie, Jr. 



Letter from the Smithsonian Institution, February 16, 1881, to John 

 Eitchie, Jr., corresponding secretary of the Boston Scientific Society. 



Dear Sir : In reply to your letter of February 4, relative to the sys- 

 tem of telegraphic announcement of astronomical discoveries, I beg to 

 say that the present Smithsonian system and the proposed substitute 

 contemplate the use of words only. One dispatch has been received by 

 us expressed according to Karlinski's code ; but in all the other an- 

 nouncements, the data communicated have been given in words. 

 Inclosed we send you copies of the circulars referred to. 



Yery truly yours, 



Spencer F. Baird. 



