218 ' Comets. 



dromeda. It was visible till July 14- : and was observed by 

 many astronomers. Its elements have been computed by M. 

 Carlini. 



The SL'co7id was discovered by M. Pons, at Marlia, on the 

 15th of July, in the constellation Taurus ; and was afterwards 

 observed by him and M. Inghirami at Florence. 



The third was also discovei'ed by M. Pons, on the 9th of Au- 

 gust, in the constellation Auriga. This is probably the one now 

 visible near Aldeharan. 



The fourth, which is the most important of the whole, is the 

 celebrated Comet of Encke, and appears to have been disco- 

 vered by M. Valtz at Nismes, on the 13th of July, according 

 to one of the French journals. However this may be, it was 

 certainly seen by M. Plana on the 13th of August; and sub- 

 sequently by M. Pons, M. Inghirami, and Mr. South : so 

 that no doubt can exist as to the re-appearance of tliis singu- 

 lar body. 



It seems that a fifth was discovered by M. Harding on the 

 23rd of August ; but its motion was so rapid to the south, 

 that it is no longer visible in these latitudes. 



To the Editor of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal. 



Sir, 

 I hoped to have found in your Magazine for August some 

 observations relating to Pons' or Encke's comet, which has 

 been in a situation favourable for view during the greater part 

 of the last month. It is so curious an object, and so lately 

 ascertained to belong to our planetary system, that every as- 

 tronomer must be anxious to obtain a sight of it, particularly 

 as this was the first opportunity which has occurred, in our 

 hemisphere, since its orbit was calculated by Encke. This 

 climate, however, is so unfavourable for astronomical pursuits, 

 that, even with the greatest vigilance, many curious phasnomena 

 pass unseen ; and I fear this may have been generally the 

 case on the present occasion, from the obscure state of the at- 

 mosphere in the month of August. I made every exertion to 

 procure a sight of the comet early in the month ; but from a 

 long continuance of cloudy weather, or thick haze near the 

 horizon, it was not visible till the 19th. On that night the 

 sky was tolerably clear, though the stars did not shine with a 

 steady light, so that the comet did not appear under \eYy advan- 

 tageous circumstances. At three o'clock In the morning (15th) 

 it formed nearly an equilateral triangle with Pollux and o- Ge- 

 mino7-um, the comet being to the eastward. The appearance 

 of it was like a bright nebule, and resembled that, well known, 



