Astronomical Society. 139 



pure lithic acid. Hence it appears that the nature of urine, 

 in every instance, depends much more on the pecuHar action and 

 structure of the secreting organs than on the peculiarities of diet, 

 or of the circulating fluids. 



A paper by Captain Kater was read at the same meeting, con- 

 taining " An account of the comparison of various British Stan- 

 dards of Linear Measure." 



25. " An account of a Micrometer made of Rock Crystal," by 

 Mr. G, Dollond, was read. This contrivance consists in making a 

 sphere of rock crystal, and applying it in place of the usual eye- 

 glass of a telescope, and from its double refracting property, ren- 

 dering it useful us a micrometer. 



Feb. 1. A paper was read on the best kind of steel and form of 

 a compass needle, by Captain Henry Kater. 



8. An interesting paper by Captain Kater was read, on the 

 subject of a volcano which he has discovered in the moon. On 

 examining the dark part of the moon through a telescope, he 

 perceived a bright spot resembling a star ; and subsequent obser- 

 vations convinced him that it was a volcano. When the part of 

 the moon where it was visible became enlightened, the volcano 

 was no longer visible. In a subsequent observation it may, per- 

 haps, again become visible. 



The following papers were also read at the same meeting. 



Observations on the Eclipse of the Sun, 7th September, 1820, 

 made at Oxford by Professor Robertson. 



A further account of Fossil Bones discovered in caverns in the 

 Limestone Rock of Plymouth, by John Whidby, Esq. 



ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



Feb. 9. The first anniversary of the above societv was held 

 this day, to receive the Report of the Council, and to choose the 

 Officers for the ensuing year. The report was a long one, since 

 it embraced all the points to which the attention of the Council 

 had been directed during the preceding year : and we hope to be 

 able to give a copy of it in our next number, as we conceive it 

 will be highly interesting to all our astronomical readers. The 

 officers elected for tlie ensuing year are as follows : viz. — 



President. 

 Sir Wm. Herschkl, LL.D. F.R.S. 

 Fice-Pres'idents. 

 II. T. CoLEUROOKE, Esq. F.R.S. &i L.S. 

 S. Groomhridgk, Esq. F.R.S. 

 I). MooRH, Esq. F.R.S. S.A. & L.S. 

 J. l'(nNj), Esq. yJstronomcr Rajja/, F.R.S. 

 'I'rensiircr. 

 Rev. W. Pearson, LL.D. F.R.S. 



S 2 Secre- 



