420 SCIENTIFIC RECORD TOR 1881 



first permanent observatory was Sir Thomas Brisbane's, erected in 1821 

 and dismantled in 1847. 



The Sydney Observatory dates from 1858, and though at first poorly 

 supplied with instruments, it is now excellently equipped. A list of 

 the publications of the various directors, Rev. W. Scott, G-. R. Smalley, 

 and H. C. Russell, is annexed to the pamphlet. 



Paris Observatory. — Admiral Mouchez has issued his report on the 

 work of the Paris Observatory during the year 1882-'83. He refers 

 to the exceptionally bad state of the sky during the second half of 

 18S2, and also to the derangements produced in tke regular course 

 of proceedings by the preparations for the Transit of Venus, as well as 

 by the temporary absence of no less than five members of the personnel 

 of the observatory for the purpose of taking part in it. Nevertheless 

 the year will rank, he thinks, as one of importance in the history of the 

 observatory on account of the installation of the new " equatorial coude6," 

 and the nearly completed arrangements for the more extended study of 

 magnetism and terrestrial physics generally, with a view to which six 

 subterranean chambers have been built under the best possible condi- 

 tions of isolation and stability, so as to obtain observations in a constant 

 temperature. With regard to astronomical work, the bodies of the 

 solar system (including the small planets) appear to have been observed 

 at Paris as regularly as heretofore, and steady progress has been made 

 with the reobservation of the stars of Lalande's catalogue; during the 

 last four years no less than 110,000 meridian observations have been 

 made as part of the results to be incorporated in the new catalogue, 

 the printing of which is now being commenced. The construction of 

 the great refractor, of 16 meters focal length, is in an advanced state, 

 the object-glass being finished ; a dome 20 meters in diameter (equal 

 in size to that of the Pantheon, and the largest movable dome ever 

 made) is to be built to contain it, for which the ground has now been 

 prepared, and special arrangements will be made to secure the building 

 from any ill effects arising from displacement of the soil, particularly 

 necessary from the circumstance that the ground below the observa- 

 tory was mined for the catacombs. Admiral Mouchez is giving his 

 attention also to the establishment of an astronomical observatory at 

 the summit of the Pic du Midi, 2,859 meters high, where a meteorolog- 

 ical observatory already exists, founded by General Nausouty. The 

 advantages of this position for astronomical purposes, owing to the 

 great clearness and transparency of the air, have been sufficiently man- 

 ifested, and the admiral remarks that a telescope of comparatively very 

 moderate power, if established there, might have led to the discovery 

 of the satellites of Mars long before they were actually discovered at 

 Washington. The intention is that any astronomer wishing to engage 

 in special researches may take advantage of the contemplated new 

 observatory. 



