394 Scientific Intelligence. [Nov. 
terminating'a little to the north of the Pleiades, It was very bright, 
and well-defined near its western extremity ; broader, fainter, and 
of shorter duration, towards the east. Its medium breadth was 
about five devrees, and it continued about 20 minutes. 
The afternoon of Tuesday was very wet, with violent gusts o 
wind ; for some time before this luminous appearance the sky was 
nearly covered with large dark Cwnzlous clouds, which passed away 
rapidly towards the N. E. and occasionally shot forth faint corusea- 
tions. .The barometer and thermometer had been very variable for 
some days. 
At eleven p.m. the sky was very bright near the northern horizon 
for about a quarter of an hour, but no Aurora Borealis appeared. 
No opportunity of observing the magnetic variation occurred ‘at 
the time. 
r 
Vit. Queries respecting Fluxions. 
(To Dr. Thomson.) 
SIR, ; 
As your correspondent Mr. Christison recommends the. study of 
fluxions after the pupil has become acquainted with the second book 
of Euclid, he would render me an essential service if he would 
have the goodness to mention what work of this kind he thinks is 
best adapted to those who are already acquainted with the first six 
books of the Elements. Maclaurin’s is the only one I have seen, 
but this appears too tedious and abstruse for a beginner, otherwise 
it appears to have great commendation, from the geometrical 
manner in which he introduces the subject. Should you, Sir, be 
so obliging as to notice this application, you will confer a favour on 
Your most obedient servant, 
Sept, 21, 1815. A SUBSCRIBER TO THE ANNALS, 
WII. Connaissance des Temps, 1815. 
(To Dr. Thomson.) 
SIR, | ah 
I have felt some disappointment at finding that, in the last 
number of our Nautical Almanac, the phenomena and observations 
(occultations, &c.) have been almost entirely omitted. What: is 
the cause of this ‘serious omission? In the number for this year 
there are about 57 set down, in the column alladed to, for the 
twelve months; but in the Con. des Tems for this year, published 
in Nov, 1812, there are 218. Surely our ephemeris is not to become 
less valuable and interesting than that of the French in any respect. 
I have not great confidence in the accuracy of French printing, or 
] should prefer theirs. ‘‘ Les occultations d’étoiles par la lune étant 
Jes phénoménes les plus utiles pour déterminer avec précision les 
longitudes géographiques, les voyagers ne doivent pas négliger de 
les observer; les conjonctions qu’on indique ici serviront a Jes 
guider pour prévoir les occultations qui pourront avoir lieu dans les 
wil ¢ a *¥ 
b 
