206 



KNOWLEDGE. 



[Septejibee 1, 1900. 



distance. Is it so witli the " astrological " or " psy- 

 chical " force of the planets ? Does any astrologer 

 know? If it does not vary according to the same law, 

 does it vary at all for any given planet, or is it always 

 the same for the same body whatever its distance, and 

 equal for all the planets whatever their mass? Or if 

 there be any differences, what is the law governing 

 them ? No astrologer can tell ; yet without such know- 

 ledge astrology stands a fraud self confessed. 



[E. Walter Maunder.] 



The computed maximum was due September 3rd, 

 but it cannot be definitely placed, though I incline to 

 say 20th August. Minimum due 11th April was 

 apparently not so far off at close of these observations. 

 A difference of 2.5 magnitudes nearly between this 

 maximum and the previous one will not escape remark. 



Memphis, Tenn., U.S.A., David Flaxery. 



20th April, 1900. 



MIRA CETI. 



TO THE EDITORS OF KNOWLEDGE. 



Sirs, — The usual dOigence did not alwavs permit as 

 sa'^isfactory obsei-vations of Mira at its last appearance 

 but they were begun earlier and continued later, and 

 altogether mav be regarded as a fair exhibit of the star's 



THE HYPOTHETICAL PLANET. 



TO THE EDITORS OF KNOWLEDGE. 



Sirs, — I have read with much interest Mr. Denning's 

 letter contained in Knowledge for June, and I 

 agree with him in all particulars. It is practically 



certain that if there is a planet revolving within the 

 orbit of Mercury it has never yet been detected as such. 

 Xo one disputes the irregularities of the movements 

 of Mercury, but that any observer with any pretensions 

 to astronomy should claim to have seen an intra-Mer- 

 curial planet in the act of transit, is, in my humble 

 opinion, either wanting in good faith, or lacking in the 

 qualifications of good sight and experience. 



Some observers are apt to forget that, besides having 

 an apparent motion, sun-spots have also a proper motion, 

 and with all due respect to the memory of so capable 

 an observer as "Webb, he seems to me to have easily 

 fallen a prey to this rut, and imconsciously mistaken 

 sun-spots with proper motions for bodies revolving in- 

 side the orbit of Mercury. " Vulcan " has yet to be 

 seen, not by one observer, but by many, since it is hard 

 to think that it would escape the vigilance of so many 

 experienced astronomers- dotted all over the globe, who 

 daily make it their practice to look out for any strange 

 phenomenon in or near the sun's immediate neighbour- 

 hood. G. McKenzie Kniset. 



Vale View, Barrells Down, 

 Bishop's Stortford. 



BRITISH 



NOTES;: _.j 



Conducted by Habby F. Witherby, f.z.s., m.b.o.u. 



Golden Orioles in Devon. — At least one pair (I say 

 " at hast one pair, " because the birds have been seen 

 in places so far apart that I suspect there may be more 

 than one pair) of " Golden Orioles ' has been seen here 

 at intervals for the last two or three years ; but whether 

 the birds breed in the neighbourhood or not I cannot 

 say, but I have seen them in the months of June and 

 .luly. I know the birds by sight, having seen a pair which 

 used to build at Beaulieu Abbey, Loi'd H. Scott's place 

 in Hampshire. I will ask you not to publish the name 

 of the locality for fear the birds might be shot. — Arnold 

 D. T.A.YL0R, Devon, August 3, 1900. 



The Melodious Warbler (Kypolais pohjglotta) in Sussex. (The 

 This, July, 1900, p. 569.) Mr.'W. KuskinButterfield, in a letter to 

 the Jfr«, records that a bird of this species was obtained on May 11th, 

 1900, at Xinfield, Sussex. The bird has been examined by Mr. 

 Hartert, as well as by Mr. Howard Saunders, who confirm Mr. 

 Buttcrfield's identification. Tliis is only the second time that the 

 bird lias been positively identified as oceur/ing in this country, 

 although it has no doubt often occurred and been overlooked. The 

 first specimen was also obtained in Sussex {sef Kxowledge, 

 November, 1897. p. 257). 



The Jfaiural Hisfori/ of the Suff. By Charles J. Patten, b.a , Ji D. 

 (7mi ^'aiuraiw^, August, 19O0, pp 187 — 209.1 This is an exhaustive 

 account of the occurrences and distribution of the Euff in Ireland, 

 itr Patten also includes interesting details of tlie plumages and habits 

 of the bird. 



