930 Analyses of Books. {Serr, 
was formed, and by M. Nicolai, at the Observatory of the Grand 
- Duke of Baden, at Manheim, whose account deserves to be 
transcribed. ‘‘ The actual formation of the annulus was very 
remarkable; for about a second before it occurred, the fine 
curve of the moon's disc, then immediately in contact with the - : 
edge of the sun, appeared broken into several parts; and ina 
moment these parts flowed together like drops of water or 
quicksilver placed near each other. At the dissolution ofthe 
annulus, a similar appearance presented itself; for the delicate 
thread of light then formed by the annulus, instead of being 
broken in one place only, was, in an instant, divided in several 
places at once. The thermometer (reduced to Fahrenheit’s 
scale) was at the commencement of the eclipse at 664°, and fell 
towards the middle to 63°, but afterwards rose again to 661°.” 
Prof. Moll, of Utrecht, in a memoir entitled, like the preced- 
ing, ‘ On the Solar Eclipse which took place on Sept. 7, 1820,” 
has transmitted an account of numerous observations made at 
Amsterdam, Groningen, and Middelburg. Prof. Van Swinden’s 
statement respecting the formation of the annulus is exceedingly 
interesting, but without the aid of his figures would not be well 
understood: besides, we suspect that the venerable author of 
the Positiones Physice, has experienced at the time, perhaps 
through his enthusiasm in the cause, certain optical delusions. 
Mr. Grave, also of Amsterdam, adds likewise some remarks as 
to the appearance of the eclipse. He made use of an English 
reflector made by Mann. The formation of the annulus appeared 
to Mr. Grave the most beautiful phenomenon which he ever 
beheld, and he has delineated it with considerable effect. 
Of the remaining memoirs composing this valuable volume, 
we cannot convey any important account, in the abridged form 
to which we are confined ; we regret the less, therefore, that the 
space still remaining allows only the repetition of their titles: 
viz; On the Comet discovered in the Constellation Pegasus in 
1821, by M. Nicollet, of Paris. On the Comet discovered in the | 
Constellation Pegasus in 1821; and on the luminous appear- 
ance observed on the dark side of the Moon on Feb. 5, 1821, 
by Dr. Olbers, of Bremen. On a luminous appearance seen on 
the dark part of the Moonin May, 1821, by'the Rev. M. Ward. 
On the Occultations of Fixed Stars by the Moon; on the Re- 
peating Circle ; on the Perturbations of the new Planets; and 
Observations on the late Comet and the Planet Vesta, by Prof. 
Littrow, of Vieuna. On the Places of 145 new Double Stars, 
by Sir William Herschell, President of the Astronomical Society. 
Universal Tables for the reduction of the Fixed Stars, by 
S. Groombridge, Esq. ; and, lastly (17th memoir), Observations 
of the Solar Eclipse which took place on Sept. 7, 1820; com- ~ 
municated in a letter from M. Piazzi to the Foreign Secretary. 
