58 



the Black Sea. The principal astronomers of Germany 

 have held two conferences, each of several days' dura- 

 tion, which have resulted in a decision to furnish four 

 stations for heliometric observation of the planet during 

 its transit ; one of- these will be in Japan or China, and the 

 others probably at Mauritius, Kerguelen's and Auckland 

 Islands, and some of these will also be equipped for 

 photographic observations. A French commission on the 

 subject sat before the war, and reported to the Bureau 

 des Longitudes that it was desirable for their government 

 to provide for observing stations at Saint Paul's Islands 

 and Amsterdam, Yokohama, Tahita, Noumea, Mascate 

 and Suez. Lately the Academy of Sciences has applied 

 to the Government for the requisite funds. The British 

 preparations are probably more advanced than those of 

 any other country. The astronomer royal first called 

 attention to the transit in 1857, and again in 1864. In 

 1868 he began to shape definite plans, selected the ob- 

 serving stations, and opened communications with the 

 Government upon the financial requirements of the under- 

 taking. 



In view of these facts it is desirable that the United 

 States Congress, though having appointed a commission 

 at its last session, should at an early day make provision 

 that will enable this commission to place a corps of obser- 

 vers in the field, provided with suitable apparatus and 

 abundant means to conduct in a proper manner the obser- 

 vations of this approaching transit of Venus. 



It will require time to arrange the apparatus, some of 

 which will undoubtedly have to be made for the occasion 

 conferences will be essential with the observers of 

 other countries, so that the plans of observation may be 

 in strict harmony with each other, and, before the posi- 

 tions are finally decided upon, the intentions of the other 

 nations should be fully known. 



The personnel of the various observing expeditions 

 should be agreed upon and commence practice with the 

 time and position instruments. At Woolwich a tempo- 

 rary observatory has been fitted up, with the object of 

 forming a more accessible school of observation. At the 



