110 M. Gay-Ltrssac's Observations on some Sulphurets. 



was drawn up at the beginning of 1825, when it had only a 

 temporary position in the western apartment of the observa- 

 tory ; but, in the course of last year, it has been placed in its 

 proper position in the tower of the observatory, under a 

 rotatory cupola, where it may be used for observations in 

 every part of the heavens. 



So recently as December 1, 1825, Professor Struve has 

 announced to Baron Zacb, that he had that day completed 

 the erection of the telescope. Previously, however, to do- 

 ing this, he had discovered with it, in a zone of 19 hours, 

 of right ascension, and of from — 15° to +10 of declination, 

 1 45 nezv double stars of the first class, and 305 of tlic fourth 

 class. The places of most of these stars he had determined 

 by the meridian circle, as well as the respective positions of 

 the surrounding stars, by means of the excellent wire micro- 

 meter with which the telescope is furnished. 



Such is the description of Fraunhofe^s telescope given by 

 Professor Struve ; and we think that no Englishman can read 

 it without feelings of the most poignant regret, that England 

 has now lost her supremacy in the manufacture of achromatic 

 telescopes, and the government one of the sources of its reve- 

 nue. In a few years she will also lose her superiority in tfie 

 manufacture of the great divided instruments for fixed obser- 

 vatories. When these sources of occupation for scientific ta- 

 lent decline, the scientific character of the country must fall 

 along with them, and the British government will deplore, 

 when it is too late, her total inattention to the scientific esta- 

 blishments of the empire. When a great nation ceases to tri- 

 umph in her arts, it is no unreasonable apprehension, that she 

 may cease also to triumph by her arms. 



Art. XXIII. — Observations on some Sulphurets. By M. 



Gay-Lussac* 



I have no other object in this note than to explain a very 

 small number of facts which appear to facilitate the compre- 



* Translated from the Annates de Chimie el de Physique, vol. xxx. 



