Astro7Wmical Society. 223 



winds. If health is spared me, I hope to fill the office in which I 

 am placed to the satisfaction of the Society. It has placed in my 

 hands great means of instruction ; and from the extraordinary kind- 

 ness and vast assistance I have received from all persons with 

 whom I have been connected, I feel that much is demanded of me ; 

 and I declare that I will, as much as in me lies, discharge my duties 

 with a view solely to the interests of the Society. I do feel^ how- 

 ever inadequate may be the expression of those feelings, great gra- 

 titude for the manner in which I have been received, by the mem- 

 bers generally, and by the officers of the Society particularly and 

 individually; and I trust that my actions will not disappoint their 

 good opinion of me. 



On the health of the Curators being given, thanks were severally 

 returned by E. Strickland, Esq., W. Marshall, Esq. Curator of 

 Mineralogy, James Atkinson, Esq. Curator of Comparative Ana- 

 tomy, and the Rev. C. Wellbeloved, Curator of Antiquities. 



ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. 

 Jan. 8. — The following communications were read : — 



1 . Extract of a letter from Professor Schumacher to Francis 

 Baily, Esq. 



Ocmltation of Aldeharan, Altona, Dec. 9, 1829 : 

 h m s 



Im. 23 41 12,27 ) o- 1 w *i u a 



F 40 51 40 I °i"^''^^' time, very exactly observed. 



'' There were five observers, so placed that no one could be dis- 

 turbed by th3 others. Each liad his chronometer, compared before 

 and after with the transit clock. IVe saw nothing uncommon at this 

 observation. The immersion and emersion appeared instantaneous to 

 all, except to Mr. Peterson, who fancied that the star adhered to the 

 bright limb of the moon for a second, at the emersion. But the te- 

 lescope used bv this gentleman was the least perfect of the whole, 

 and shows the stars not as small round discs, but with emerging 

 rays." 



2. Extract of a letter from George Dollond, Esq. to W. S, 

 Stratford, Esq. 



" The immersion of Aldebaran was observed (Dec. 9, 1829) at 

 Ormskirk, near Liverpool, by the Rev. W. R. Dawes, at 5'' 36"" 20',25 

 mean solar time (N. latitude 53" 34' 15"). 



in s 



Resulting longitude 11 3G,5 West. 



Longitude previously determined . 11 3(5,0 

 " I have just received the monthly notice for November, contain- 

 ing a summary of the observations of Aldebaran. The ajjpearances 

 are so variable and uncertain, that I am convinced there is an optical 

 deception depending upon the eye ; and I believe the ])hicnomena will 

 vary its the observer directs his |)articular attention to the moon or to 

 the star. 



" On the 21st of August I observed the occultation, and directed 



my 



