PORTION OP THE COSMOS. NEW STARS. 147 



doubtful, I do not include them in the present list. 

 (Jacques Cassini, Elem. d'Astron. p. 73-77; Delambre, 

 Hist, de 1'Astr. mod. T. ii. p. 780.) 



v. Since the appearance of the new star in Vulpes, 

 178 years had passed without any similar phenomenon 

 having presented itself, although in this long interval the 

 heavens had been most carefully examined by the combi- 

 nation of a more diligent use of telescopes, and comparison 

 with improved star-catalogues. On the 28th of April, 

 1848, in the private Observatory of Mr. Bishop (South 

 Villa, Regent's Park), Mr. Hind made the important 

 discovery of a new star of the 5th magnitude in Ophiuchus, 

 of a reddish yellow colour : E. A. 16h. 50m. 59s. ; South 

 Decl. 12 39' 16" for 1848. In the case of no other 

 newly-appeared star have the novelty of the phenomenon 

 and the invariability of position been more certainly and 

 accurately shown. It is now (1850) barely of the llth 

 magnitude, and, according to Lichtenberg's diligent ob- 

 servation, is probably near its time of vanishing. (Notices 

 of the Astr. Soc. Vol. viii. pp. 146 and 155-158.) 



The above enumeration and description of new stars 

 which have appeared and disappeared within the last 2000 

 years are perhaps somewhat more complete than any which 

 have been given previously. It may justify some genera) 

 considerations. We distinguish three kinds of phenomena : 

 new stars, which suddenly shine forth, and vanish again 

 after a greater or less interval of time; stars whose brightness 

 is subject to an already determinable periodical variability ; 

 and stars which, like r\ Argus, show at once an extraordinarily 

 increasing and an irregularly varying brightness. All these 



