to astronomic Instruments ; ^c. 245 



the oBjects in the west. I was so overjoyed that I thought 

 of reversing the telescope and the instrument : but this first 

 emotion being appeased, I continued my operation more 

 than half an hour after the sun had risen : the light then 

 increasing, the star gradually diminished, and at length 

 disappeared. 



*' The following day Venus being in Aquarius, and rising 

 before the sim, I brought her in the field of view of my 

 telescope; and although she was then in her increase, and 

 consequently less luminous, I preserved her there more 

 easily than Arcturus for an hour and more after the sun 

 had risen. I have made the same observations with all the 

 other planets and the larger stars." All this appears to have 

 lasted only about four or five days, and must be referred to 

 the end of March 1635. 



Such is the account which Morin gives of this discovery, 

 with which he was affected to a degree of enthusiasm. If 

 he had used a longer telescope, he svould have been able to 

 observe the planets and large stars not only by day-lia;ht, 

 but even at noon-day. However, I do not believe that we 

 can dispute with him the honour of having first observed 

 the planets and principal stars during the sun's presence, — 

 an immense advantage to astronomy, and v^hich gives him 

 an undoubted and well-earned right to the gratitude of 

 astronomers. 



After what we have said, can it be believed, that in 

 l6Gy, more than 33 years after the publication of JVJorin's 

 work, the Abbe Picard should assert himself to be the 

 author of this discovery ? The following is the passage 

 from the History of the Academy*, by M. de Fontenelle: 

 " The 3d of May of this year ()6C9), M. Picard was much 

 surprised to be able to observe the meridian altitude of Ke- 

 gulus near 13 minutes before the setting of the sun: astro- 

 nomers have hitherto not only been unable to observe the 

 fixed stars in the day-time, but, it is believed, not even during 

 Jwilight. M. Picard went further: on the 13th of July he 

 observed the meridian altitude of Arcturus, the sun l)eing 

 then elevated nearly 1 7 degrees." We find nearly the same 

 ^M Du Hauiel's Latin History, page 54. 

 ^iiJ-Jow did it happen that I'icard was ignorant that to- 

 v/^rds the end of March l(i35, more than 34 years before 

 his observation, Morin had made this fine discovery; and 

 ihat he had |)ublished it in 1G35, in his ^c'wncc of lj)iigi- 

 iltdesf'\ I should be extremely sorry if this article, which 



• Tome i. p. J0;> & 110. f Pars vi. p. C'lOicseq. 



O 3 the 



