Astronomical, Horticultural, and Meteorological Societies. 61 



ASTRO NOMFCAL SOCIETY'. 



Jan. 9th. — The Papers read at the Meeting of this evening- 

 were as follow : 



1st. Observations of the Comet of 1811, taken at the Ha- 

 vannah, by Don Joseph Joachim de Ferror, of Cadiz, de- 

 ceased, communicated by the President. 



These observations were accompanied by computations of 

 the Comet in an elliptic orbit, and the elements are very nearly 

 the same as those brought out by M. Argelander. 



2d. On the Constants of Deviation occurring in the Reduc- 

 tion of Astronomical Observations. By Benjamin Gompertz, 

 Esq., F.R.S. and M. Ast. Soc. 



This paper examines the causes of deviation, and proposes 

 formulas for their more easy reduction : it is however so purely 

 mathematical as not to admit of abridgment within our limits. 



3d. On the ensuing Opposition of the Planet Mars on the 

 2 lth of March next. Bv Francis Baily, Esq., F.R.S., 

 V.P. Ast. Soc. 



As this paper contains some valuable observations upon an 

 interesting phenomenon shortly about to take place, we 

 have obtained permission to print it at full length, and it will 

 accordingly be found at page 50 of our present number. We 

 understand likewise, that the Society have come to the reso- 

 lution of printing all papers read before it monthly, after the 

 ensuing Anniversary, instead of withholding them for an an- 

 nual volume. 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Jan. 6. — His Majesty the King of Wurtemberg was elected 

 a Fellow of the Society ; and the following communications 

 were read : — On the Classification of Peaches and Nectarines. 

 By Mr. George Lindley, Corresponding Member of the So- 

 ciety. — Description and Plan of a Pine Stove constructed in 

 the Garden of Richard Forman, Esq. F.H.S. 



Jan. 20. — The following communication was read : — On the 

 Treatment of the Banyan Tree, in the Conservatory, so as to 

 give it its natural mode of growth. By Capt. Peter Rainier, 

 UN., F.H.S. ~ 



METEOUOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



A Third General Meeting of this Society was held on 

 Jan. li, when the Code of Laws alluded to in our last num- 

 ber was adopted ; and the Meeting having been resolved into 

 an ordinary one, a Preliminary Report from a Committee 

 was read, on the objects to which the Society's attention 

 should first be directed: a Paper on the Vernal Winds, by 



John 



