1825.] 
tions of Condition, is importantly useful, in 
the present advanced state of astronomical 
science ; and it has been further improved 
by the discovery of the method of the least 
squares. Mr. Ivory, whose talent for this 
species of research is, perhaps, unequalled, 
has lately shown, that the advantage of the 
method of least squares may be more satis- 
factorily demonstrated, than has been done 
by those who have referred it to the doc- 
trine of probabilities. The proper object of 
the doctrine of probabilities, in this case, he 
considers to be, that of determining the 
magnitude of error in a particular observa- 
tion. But, on a close examination of Mr. 
Ivory’s method, it will be found, that he 
assumes a law for the influence of the er- 
rors, and, consequently, assumes one of 
their probable influence on the result ; his 
reasoning being, after all, grounded on a 
particular law of probability. Every one 
will agree with him, that, ina case where 
the probability cannot be expressed, or 
known from experience, it is best to assume 
sucha law for the influence of the errors, as, 
it appears, must afford a close approximation 
to the most advantageous one, if it be not 
actually so ; but, at the same time, it must 
be allowed, that an investigation conducted 
on general principles is more scientific ; 
and the fact ofits not leading to the result, 
that the method of least squares is the best 
in all cases, is a material point in its favour; 
for it is very unlikely, that the probability 
of error is the same in all astronomical 
observations ; while it does appear possible 
to assign the law, from experience, in many 
cases ; and every observer cught to direct 
Proceedings of Learned Societies. 
345 
his attention to the subject, now that Mr. 
Ivory has shown that the method of the least 
squares is confined to a particular law of 
probability—(See Philosophical Magazine, 
Nos. 64—66. ) 
A new instrument, which may be called 
a Waiter Telescope, has been contrived. It 
consists of a cone-like tube, of variable 
length, about one inch in circumference at 
the aper, and ten at the base ; with glasses 
or crystals at.the ends. When the large 
end is plunged’to the bottom of the water, 
and the eye applied to the other, as there is 
nothing to interrupt the flow of light in the 
tube, whatever is at the bottom of the 
water becomes completely visible. That 
the instrument may be used at night, a 
lateral lamp is fitted, in a short cylinder, to 
the large end of the tube, to which, also, 
two other tubes communicate ; one for 
carrying off the smoke, &c., the other, for 
supplying fresh air ; and the light being cast 
upon the ground, makes its surface distinct 
to the inspector. 
It has been thought that glass was per- 
meable to water—the fact was verified 
ina voyage to South Africa: two empty 
spherical bottles, hermetically sealed, were 
made use of; which, with the assistance 
of leads, were sunk 200 fathoms into the 
sea :—ten men were a quarter of an 
hour raising them; at that depth, the 
pressure was equal to thirty-six atmospheres 
nearly (the weight of an atmosphere fif- 
teen Ibs. on a square inch, or 2,160 Ibs. on 
asquare foot) ; and they were found to he 
full of water. : 
PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 
—<=Z>—-—_ 
ROYAL SOCIETY. 
VRIS Society held four sittings in 
March. At that of the 3d, the 
reading of Dr. Williams’s paper “ On the 
‘Maternal Foetal Circulation,’ was resumed 
and concluded. Dr. J. R. Johnson, ¥.R.s., 
then communicated some further observa- 
tions on the “ Genus Planaria.”” On the 
10th, a paper, entitled ‘“ Improvements 
on Lestie’s Photomcter,” by W. Ritchie, 
A.M., was communicated by J. F. Hers- 
che, esq-, Sec. x.s. On the 17th, Sir 
E. Home, Bart., v.p.n.s., communicated a 
paper from the Society “ For Promoting 
Animal Chemistry, on the Influence of the 
Nerves, and Ganglions in producing Ani- 
mal Heat.” «And on the 24th, a paper, by 
John Goldingham, esq., P.%.s., was read, 
entitled, “‘ Results of Meteorological Ob- 
seryations taken at the Madras Observa- 
tory.” The Society then adjourned to the 
14th of April. 
LINNAZAN SOCIETY. 
’ This Society met on the Ist and the 15th 
March, when tlie reading of Messrs. Shep- 
pard and Whitear’s paper “ On the Birds 
Montaty Maa. No. 409. 
of Norfolk and Suffolk,” and of Dr. Ha- 
milton’s “‘ Commentary on the Hortus 
Malabaricus,”’ was continued. 
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
On the 18th of February, a paper, by 
Professor Buckland, was read, ‘* On the 
Valley of Kingsclere, near Newbury, and 
the Evidence it affords of Disturbances af- 
fecting the Green Sand, Chalk, and Plastic 
Clay Formations.” The object of. this 
paper is to describe the phenomena of.a 
small valley, in which the green sand strata 
are protruded to the surface ‘through the 
chalk and plasti¢ clay, at a spot situated 
within the area of the chalk-basin of New- 
bury, and affording a remarkable excep- 
tion to its general regularity, apparently 
originating from a sudden eleyation of the 
chalk, accompanied by fracture and ain 
inverted dip; and the author concludes 
respecting tliem -all, that it is utterly 
‘impossible to explain their origin by denu- 
dation alone. On the 4th of March, a no- 
tice was read ‘* On some silicified Wood, 
resembling in orm the ‘Trunks of Palm- 
trees, which lie scattered in the Desert be- 
2Y tweei 
