476 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANiSACTIONS. [aNNO J 74 1 , 



with wind, that it cannot otherwise be returned ? — In some ventral ruptures, as 

 they are called, this also may be necessary. He finds Mr. Sharp, in his late 

 excellent piece of surgery, approves of this method, from an old English 

 practitioner, who had often used it with success. — Dr. H. was persuaded, punc- 

 tures in this manner are much less dangerous than the operation ; and believes, 

 in such cases, may be more effectual. It is a common thing with graziers and 

 cattle-doctors, to prick the guts of their sheep and bullocks with great success, 

 when, by feeding on clover, or fresh young grass, their guts become so vastly 

 distended with wind, as would otherwise certainly kill them. May not a very 

 small hollow needle with perforations, as in that used by some instead of the 

 trocar for a paracenthesis, be more proper than a common needle ? May not the 

 hernial tumour be perceived to be chiefly flatulent by its being in some degree 

 transparent on applying a candle, as used in the hydrocele ? and may not that 

 direct the proper place for punctures ? 



An Observation on the Planet Fenus, ivith regard to her having a Satellite. 

 Made by Mr. James Short, F.R.S. at Sun-rise, Oct. 23, 1740. N° 459, 

 p. 646. 



Directing a reflecting telescope of iS-i- inches focus, with an apparatus to 

 follow the diurnal motion, towards Venus, Mr. S. perceived a small star pretty 

 near her; on which he took another telescope of the same focal distance, which 

 magnified about 50 or 60 times, and which was fitted with a micrometer, in 

 order to measure its distance from Venus ; and found its distance to be about 

 10'. Finding Venus very distinct, and consequently the air very clear, he put 

 on a magnifying power of 240 times, and, to his great surprise, found this star 

 put on the same phasis with Venus. He tried another magnifying power of 140 

 times, and even then found the star under the same phasis. Its diameter seemed 

 about a third, or somewhat less, of the diameter of Venus ; its light was not 

 so bright or vivid, but exceedingly sharp and well defined. A line, passing 

 through the centre of Venus and it, made an angle with the equator of about 

 1 8 or 20 degrees. 



Mr. S. saw it for the space of an hour several times that morning ; but the 

 light of the sun increasing, he lost it altogether about a quarter of an hour 

 after 8. He looked for it every clear morning after, but never had the good 

 fortune to see it again. 



Cassini, in his astronomy, mentions much such another observation. Mr. S. 

 likewise observed two darkish spots on the body of Venus ; for the air was ex- 

 ceedingly clear and serene. 



