116 Account of a new Eudiometer. 



nltuclc of the projection, but the estimation just mentioned^ 

 It follows, by calculation, that the apparent diameter of the 

 planet \'esia is only 0'48S seconds, and consequently only 

 half of what I have found to be the apparent> diameter of the 

 fourth satellite of Saturn. 



This extraordinary smallness, with such an intense, ra- 

 diant, and unsteady light of a fixed star, is the more re- 

 markable, as, according to the preliminary calculations of 

 Dr. Gauss, there can be no doubt that this planet is found 

 in the same region between Mars and Jupiter, in \> hich 

 Ceres, Pallas, and Juno, perform their revolutions round the 

 sun ; that, in close union with them, it has the same cos- 

 mological origin ; and that, as a plar.Lt of such smallness, 

 and of so very intense light, it is comparatively near to the 

 earth. This remarkable circumstance will no doubt be pror 

 ductive of important cosmoiogical observations, as soon as 

 the elements of the new planet have been sufficiently deter- 

 mined, and its distance from the earth ascertained by cal- 

 pulation^ 



Lilienthal, 

 May 1-2, 1807. 



XX. A new Ejidmneler, accompanied uiih Experiments 

 elucidating its Application. By William Hasledine 

 Pepvs, Esq.'* 



J. HE important part which atmospheric air performs in 

 maintaining the principle of life in animals, in combustion 

 of every description, the acidification and oxidation of a 

 great variety of substances, and in numerous other processes 

 both of nature and art, gives a high dcjrree of interest to 

 every thing calculated to extend our knowledge of its na- 

 ture and properties. 



The evidence furnished by modern chemistry X)f the ex- 

 istence of many other aeriform substances increases this in- 

 terest, especially when it is considered that, owing to their 

 possessing some of the most obvious properties of atmo- 



* From Trajtsrtcliwis of !hc Royal Sodelij, part ii, for 1S07. 



spheric 



