23 



the Comet had frequently to be watched for between banks of 

 dark cumulus clouds, and at times when few stars could be 

 seen. The night of the 28th of January was the most 

 fe-vorable, the sky was clear and brilliant with stars ; the 

 penetrating light of the Comet on that evening shewed itself 

 in the twilight a few minutes after the star Fomalhaut, and a 

 few minutes before a and j8 Grus. It had a fine planetary 

 nucleus, with a bushy tail, very little curved, about 14° in 

 length. From this date it diminished in appearance as if 

 moving slowly off into space, and on the 4th of February was 

 much fainter, with a tail only 4° in length. On the 8th, 9th, 

 10th and 12th February, it was only seen with the telescope, 

 the moon being near full, and the nights clear and moonhght. 

 The 14th was fevorable, for three days previous the weather 

 had been close and sultry, but at 5 p.m. on that day a heavy 

 shower of rain fell which rendered the atmosphere very trans- 

 parent. The Comet had decreased much in size — the neuclus 

 had lost its planetary appearance, and the tail was not more 

 than 1~° in length. It was also seen distinctly on the 1st and 

 Srd of March, after which the moon's light again interfered. 



From the above records it will be seen that the Comet from 

 its first appearance on January 17th in Capricornus passed 

 through the Constellation Microscopium, and when last seen 

 on the Srd of March, it was near to the extreme point of 

 Grus. 



SOME FUETHER NOTES ON v AEGUS. 



[Continued from the Monthly Notices of June, 1863.] 

 This appears a suitable opportunity for continuing some 

 Notes on the variable Star rj Argus and the surrounding 

 Nebula. I was glad to notice the communication on this 



