1 824.] Corrections in Right Ascension. 37 



using sulphate of copper, and rendered the process of metalliza- 

 tion less difficult by using common instruments, and such as are 

 within the reach of every practitioner, or readily procurable by 

 him. In concluding, I beg to refer the reader to the work on 

 Medical Jurisprudence, to which I have been so largely indebted, 

 as one which will afford him much and minute information on a 

 subject of some difficulty, and of great importance. 



Article VIII. 



Corrections in Right Ascension of 37 Stars of the Greenwich 

 Catalogue, together with an Inquiry how far it would he advi- 

 sable that the Daily Corrections in li.A and North Polar Dist- 

 ance of the 46 Zero Stars should be computed Annually at the 

 Public Expence. By James South, FRS. 



(To the Editor of the Annals of Philosophy.) 



DEAR SIR, Blackman-ttreet, Dec. 18, 1823. 



Ha vi ng for some years principally devoted myself to the pur- 

 suit of practical astronomy, 1 have seen with much regret the 

 various difficulties which the private observer has to contend 

 with ; having also severely felt some of them, I have endeavoured 

 occasionally to diminish them for others : knowing also that 

 some of these auxiliaries have been used in the most important 

 observatories in the country, and that to some private indivi- 

 duals they have proved welcome, in the absence of others hav- 

 ing stronger claims to confidence, I am induced to publish the 

 corrections in right ascension of the 37 stars of the Greenwich 

 catalogue, for every day of the year 1824. 



I had indulged a hope (as a reference to this journal two 

 years ago will prove) that the daily corrections not only in Right 

 Ascension, but also in North Polar distance, not only of the 37, 

 but of the 46 Zero stars, would long since have made their 

 appearance, under the sanction of a Society instituted expressly 

 for the purpose of promoting astronomical science. As, how 

 ever, these hopes are not realised, owing probably to the little 

 want which most of its leading members have of such a publica- 

 tion, it may be worth while to see whether a case cannot be 

 made out sufficiently strong, to justify government in having 

 such corrections computed, at the public expence. 



Our inquiry will then be divided into three parts ; first, what 

 will be the probable benefits resulting from such a publication ; 

 secondly, what the expence of procuring it ; and lastly, how far 

 the former is equivalent to the tatter. In doing this it will be 

 necessary to enter somewhat minutely into the matter, as there 

 are many individuals, although perfectly conversant with the 

 principles of astronomy, who have little idea of the routine of 

 observatory business. 



