11 



ten principal observers engaged at the transit of Venus in 1769 

 had a fixed position more correct than that at Hobart Town. 



There-discussion of the transit of Venus in 1769 recently 

 made by Mr. Stone, at the Greenwich observatory, from results 

 of fall observations made at the time, has reduced the sun's 

 distance to near that arrived at by the opposition of Mars, and 

 the speed of light, viz., 91,700,000 miles. This great problem 

 therefore may be considered almost settled within the require- 

 ments of our present astronomy, and only waits for confirmation 

 at the next transit of Venus to make all things accordant. 

 This necessity is more felt owing to some doubt having arisen 

 on a misinterpretation said to be made by Mr. Stone, in his 

 re-discussion on Chappe's statement made at the time of con- 

 tact of the sun and Planet, and the circumstance of Pauly 

 having left his telescope before the last contact. 



This question of the correct geographical position of these 

 colonies therefore, is a problem that will require to be settled 

 before the time arrives foif ascertaining the true value of the 

 solar paralax. 



There is a great uncertainty of any expedition being able to 

 reach either Wilks Land or Sabrina Land in the month of 

 December. In all probability the Australian colonies will be 

 made the southern limit of observation. If, therefore, some 

 well-defined spot is fixed upon in the interim, and suitable 

 means employed to establish it as a starting point for deter- 

 mining the correct geographical position of any other spot with 

 equal accuracy, either by telegraphic communication or trans- 

 mission of chronometers, several different stations could be 

 either confirmed or corrected for the reception of any number of 

 expeditions that might be sent to these colonies. 



