of fixed Slcrs; with Reynarks C07inecled ivilh the Subject. 371 



tier. His exhortations seem to have produced the desired effect ; 

 for, from that time, observations on the fixed stars were multi- 

 pHed to a surprising extent, so as to exceed, in a few years, all 

 that had been done for a century past, as will hereafter more di- 

 stinctly appear. 



The results have been printed from time to time in a consider- 

 able number of bulky volumes ; and since all our astronomical 

 works are verv brief and inaccurate in their accoimts of these 

 publications, I apprehend the subjoined sketch of the principal 

 ones may not be unacceptable, taking them in chronological 

 order. 



1. "A Specimen of a General Astronomical Catalogue, arranged 



in Zones of North Polar Distance, and adapted to Jan. 1, 

 1790 ; containing a comparative view of the mean jjositions 

 of Stars, Nebulae, and Clusters of Stars, as they come out 

 upon calculation from the tables of several principal obser- 

 vers; together with a proposal for setti\)g on foot some re- 

 gular method of observing the heavens, through the concur- 

 rent assistance of astronomers in all nations, in order to form 

 a more perfect register of their present state, and discover 

 any alterations to which they may regularly be su!)ject, or 

 which they may at anv time hereafter undergo. By Fiancis 

 Wollaston", F.R.S." Fol. London, 1/89. 

 I place this work at the head of tlie list, although little re- 

 liance can be placed upon it either for the positions or the mag- 

 nitudes of stars; because it is the most recent British publica- 

 cation (except the quarto work, No. 3) ; and as the arrangement 

 differs from that of any other, it may occasionally be useful to 

 persons who adopt a peculiar method of observing. I shall con- 

 tent myself with referring for a minute account of the book, to 

 the Monthly Review, New Scries, vol. ii. p. 30(5, or toRecs's Cy- 

 clopaedia, article Catalogue. 



2. " Catalogue of Stars taken from Mr. Flamsteed's observations 



contained in the second volume of the Historia Cocleslis, 

 and not inserted in the British Catalogue; with an Index 

 to point out every observation in that volume belonging to 

 stars of the British Catalogue. To which is added, a col- 

 lection of errata that should be noticed in the same volume. 

 By Carolina Herschel. With introductory and explanatory 

 remarks to each of them by Wm. Herschel, LL.D. F.R.^." 

 Fol. London, 1798. 

 This work is an indispensable companion to the preceding, as 

 well as to the origirial work of Flamstecd. Besides giving the 

 po'sitions of near iOO additional stars observed by Flamstecd, it 

 iuruishes many important emendations of th it i.uthor's catalogue. 

 The Index of Observations may frequently Lc referred to with 



3 A 2 " advaiitiigc, 



