2/0 Report of the Astronomical Society. 



he there found of any of the more recently discovered ])lanets or 

 comets, but also with a view to the formati'Dii of a more complete 

 catalogue of such stars as have, from time to time, disappeared 

 from our sight. These subjects, tpgcther with accurate and de- 

 scriptive accoimts of the instruments used bv eminent deceased 

 observers, in order to estimate the reliance to be placed on their 

 recorded observations, might fairly claim some mark of distinc- 

 tion. 



With respect to instruments, the Council propose to bestow 

 the medal for every improvement which may tend materially to 

 advance the science. They would mention however, as a few 

 amongst the desiderata, an instrument for determining the ap- 

 parent magnitudes of the stars, or of ascertaining a correct scale 

 whereby astronomers may be enabled to express themselves in 

 one common language on this subject. Likewise a simple but 

 effectual contrivance for enabling an observer to determine the 

 right ascension and declination of small stars, without the neces- 

 sity of illuminating the field of the telescope. And a method 

 of applying the reflecting telescope to transit or circular instru- 

 ments, in as convenient and useful a manner as tlic refracting 

 telescope. 



It would be impossible in a report of this kind to enumerate 

 all the subjects which may be considered worthy of the Society's 

 medal: neither can the Council establish any general scale for 

 the precise distribution of the three kinds which it is intended to 

 strike. Doubts may frequently arise on subjects of this nature: 

 but, they trust they shall always act with liberality and impar- 

 tiality, yet at the same time with a due regard to the dignity and 

 character of the Society, and the nature of the trust reposed in 

 them. It may indeed appear extraordinary tliat no niention should 

 yet have been made of the great desiderata of abtronomy, — those 

 questions which have exercised the curiosity and employed the 

 time and attention of astronomers ever since the science has as- 

 sumed its present character — such as the parallax of the fixed 

 stars, their proper motion, the motion or rest of our own system, 

 and its connection with the rest of the universe. But these and 

 many other points are too obviously suggested by their importance 

 to need any particular notit:e or encouragement. The man, for 

 whom discoveries of this class are reserved, soars far beyond any 

 distinction which this Society can bestow: the ajiplause of the 

 human race attends his labours ; and no additional stimulus can 

 be oflfercd to those by which he is im|)elled. 



The subjects of ))hysical astronomy arc so various, and of so 

 mixed and complicated a nature, that the Council defer to a fu- 

 ture opportunity their observations on this head. In order, how- 

 ever, to show their disposition to encourage the con;5idcratioii of 



such 



