288 Mr. South on Astronomical Phenomena. 



and Baily, to the former for having made the calculations, to 

 the latter for having published them ; and I trust neither the one, 

 or the other, will feel displeasure because I have put them into a 

 proper observatory dress. 



That eclipses of stars of the 7th, 8th and 9th magnitudes may 

 be observed I well know ; but it must be remembered that identi- 

 fication of the star, is as essential as the observation. — Now con- 

 sidering the frequency with which stars, such as these, are diffused 

 over the heavens, the effect which the lunar light has apparently 

 to alter their natural splendour, and to obliterate from our sight the 

 presence of all minute stars, which under other circumstances 

 might materially assist us, I fear little confidence must be placed 

 in identifications, unless made by instrumental assistance*. He 

 who has a telescope mounted equatorially, will do well to place 

 it upon some known star in the neighbourhood of the Moon, and 

 though it may not be accurately adjusted, it will afford him a 

 result which when compared with the actual place of the star, 

 may be applied in the form of index error, to the observed place 

 of the unknown star; hence a reference to the data furnished 

 in this ephemeris, will generally inform him, how far his identi- 

 fication is complete. — Should the star be to the east of the meri- 

 dian, he should endeavour, if possible, to get its transit over it 

 the same evening, if to the west of it, he should procure it the 

 first opportunity. 



That the following pages are exempt from error, I dare not in- 

 dulge the hope ; I believe, however, they will be found generally 

 accurate ; the practical astronomer who knows what it is to ob- 

 serve all night, and to compute nearly all day, will I am sure par- 

 don what is done amiss : — 



* Gentlemen by (heir fire-sides, identify stars, however near to tlie Moon, 

 easily enough ; but Major Katcr (on shore,) who has bad no little experience in 

 these matters, assures me, that it was not without considerable difficulty, he 

 could identify tt Scorpii ; now this star is of the 3rd or 4th magnitude. — Again, 

 Sir Thos. Brisbane and Mr. Rumker (at sea), transmitted to Europe, not long 

 since, a novel observation, in the shape of an occullation of Mercury by the 

 Moon, little suspecting that their jAanet Mercury was no other than the 

 Star Reffulus. 



