4 He: ; 
Notices respecting New Publications. 263 
the same proportion, represents the eminences and depres- 
sions of the moon, determined as to their form with the ut- 
most accuracy, producing their shadows when the sun is 
only a few degrees above the horizon of each part. The 
former of these was beautifully and most correctly engraved 
by Mr. Russell, who had likewise very considerably advanced 
in the engraving of the latter, when death terminated his la- 
hours: it is, however, left in such a forward state, that it 
will be finished with the greatest exactness, and all possible 
dispatch. 
Mr. William Russell, son of the late Mr. Russell, proposes: 
to publish by subscription these lunar plates, which have 
been long promised to the scientific world: and the first en-' 
graving is now offered for their inspection. The whole will 
be incomparably the most complete lunar work ever offered 
in any age—a work, the more carefully it is examined, 
either as to its; accuracy or elegance (effected, indeed, by — 
extreme labour during twenty-one years), the more it will 
excite the wonder and admiration of the diligent inquirer. 
The utility of these engrayings is best expressed in the 
author’s own words: “‘ The principal use of the moon to 
astronomers is, that of ascertaining the longitude of places 
by the transit of the earth’s shadow when the moon is 
eclipsed. The shadow of the earth coming in contact 
with many known spots, if the observation be made in 
different places at the same time, the longitude of each 
place could by this means be ascertained with great preci- 
sion, provided the spots to be made choice of be sufficiently 
represented and recognised; but there being ‘no faithful 
delineation of the moon, and the edges of those spots which 
are known being undefined, the observations. made have 
not been so useful as could be wished: for this purpose, it 
is believed, Mr. Russell’s labours will be found very useful, 
and will very much add to the certainty and precision of 
the observations on lunar eclipses; as the chief design 
of his planisphere, representing the moon in a state of 
opposition to the sun, is directed to this end, and which he 
has spared no pains in bringing to perfection.” 
These 
