Astronomical Society. 243 



Arrangements had been previously made with Mr. Fallows fur observ- 

 ing tlie parallax of the moon ; and the stars proper for that purpose 

 are now distinguished by an asterisk in the annual list of the moon- 

 culminating stars : and as, in all probability, a proper selection of stars 

 will be made and published in future, for the subsequent oppositions 

 of Mars, and the inferior conjunctions of Venus, there is now every 

 reason to hope that, with the cooperation of active astronomers, the 

 parallaxes of these respective bodies will soon be determined with the 

 greatest accuracy. 



Besides the Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope, and the Ob- 

 servatories of Paramatta and Madras, we have also, in the southern 

 hemisphere, another at the Island of St. Helena, founded by the East 

 India Company, and placed under the superintendence of Mr. John- 

 son. Captain Lloyd also, who has been lately appointed Surveyor- 

 General to the island of Mauritius, has taken out some excellent 

 instruments to that island ; and a 3|-feet transit instrument, by 

 Troughton and Simms, is about to be forwarded to the same place, at 

 the expense of Government, to be placed under the superintendence 

 of M. Dabadie, whose observations on the comet of 1830 were com- 

 municated to this Society. And Capt. King, R.N. is also shortly 

 about to sail for New South Wales, provided with some astronomical 

 instruments for his own private use. Thus, in the southern hemi- 

 sphere, where a few years ago we could scarcely reckon a single 

 observer, we have now several active and zealous persons, employed 

 in watching the motions of the heavenly bodies ; and in making such 

 observations as may tend to advance the connected sciences of astro- 

 nomy, navigation, and geography. And here the Council cannot 

 avoid suggesting to those observers the great advantage that may be 

 taken of their fortunate positions, by their forming arrangements 

 with Mr. Henderson for making such observations, either of moon- 

 culminating stars or such other celestial pheenomena to be agreed on, 

 as may tend to fix, on a firm and durable basis, the true longitudes 

 of their respective stations : which will thus become so many zero 

 points on the globe to which the navigator and the geographer may 

 in all cases confidently refer. 



The Meeting then proceeded to the Election of the Council for the en- 

 suing Year, when the following Felloxus were elected, viz. 



President: John Brinkley, D.Y). Lord Bishop of Cloyne. — Vice- 

 Presidents: Francis Daily, Esq. F.R.S. L.S. and OS. and M.R.I.A.; 

 Davies Gilbert, Esq. M.P. V.P.R.S. F.L.S. & G.S. ; John William 

 Lubbock, Esq. M.A. V.P. & Treas. R.S. ; Rev. William Pearson, 

 LL.D. & F.R.S. — Treasurer: John Lee, Esq. LL.D, — Secretaries: 

 Augustus De Morgan, Esq.; John Wrottesley, Esq. M.A. — Foreign 

 Secretary: Captain W. H. Smyth, R.N. F.R.S. & A.S. — Council: 

 George Biddell Airy, Esq. M.A. Plumian Prof. Ast. University oj 

 Cambridge ; Charles Babbage, Esq. M.A. F.R.S. Lucasian Prof. 

 Math. University of Cambridge ; Captain F. Beaufort, R.N. F.R.S. ; 

 Lieutenant Thomas Drummond, R.E.j Captain W. F. W., Owen, 

 R.N.; Lieutenant Henry Rapcr, R.N. j Edward Riddle, Esq.; Rev. 

 212 



