VOL. LXXXVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. IJQ 



from the erroneous stars in the catalogue, want corrections in the Atlas Coelestis ; 

 several of them also of many degrees. 42 stars are set down, which must be re- 

 duced to 21; each going by 2 names in different constellations. 371 stars, com- 

 pletely observed both in right-ascension and zenith-distance, have been totally over- 

 looked. 35 more, which have 1 of the 2, either right-ascension or polar-distance 

 doubtful, have been omitted. 86 with only the polar-distance, and 13 with only 

 the right-ascension, have also been unnoticed. About 50 more that are pointed 

 out by pretty clear descriptions, are also neglected : so that on the whole between 5 

 and 6 hundred stars observed by Flamsteed, have been overlooked when the British 

 catalogue was framed. 



These additional stars will make a considerable catalogue, which is already drawn 

 up and nearly finished by Miss Herschel, who is in hopes that it may prove a 

 valuable acquisition to astronomers. Neither the index to Flamsteed's observations, 

 nor the catalogue of omitted stars, were finished when my former 2 catalogues of 

 comparative brightness were given; I shall therefore now select a few notes to be 

 added to those which are at the end of these catalogues. They will contain such 

 additional light as I have been enabled to gather from this newly acquired assist- 

 ance. 



Additional Notes to the Stars in the First Catalogue of the comparative Brightness 



of the Stars. 

 Aquarius. — 25 Is the same star with 6 Pegasi. There are but 2 observations of 

 it. The first is on page 57; Flamsteed calls it "in constellatione Pegasi sub 

 capite." The 2d, on page 71, is described " in constellatione Aquarii trianguli in 

 capite praecedens et borealis." Here we see that the double insertion in the cata- 

 logue is owing to the star's having been called by different names in the observa- 

 tions. See also Mr. Wollaston's catalogue, zone 88°. 



27 Is the same with 11 Pegasi. There are 3 observations: the first places the 

 star in the constellation of Pegasus, the 2 latter in that of Aquarius. See also 

 Mr. Wollaston's catalogue for this star, and others of the same kind. 



65 Has not been observed by Flamsteed; yet we find it inserted in my first ca- 

 talogue, where its relative brightness is given. It should be considered that, in 

 the first place, several stars, of which there are no observations in the 2d volume 

 of Flamsteed's works, and which are yet inserted in the British catalogue, such for 

 instance as and i Draconis, are well known to exist in the heavens. Now whether 

 they were put into the catalogue from observations that are not in the 2d volume, 

 or taken from other catalogues, it so happens that observations of them cannot be 

 found. Therefore the want of a former observation by Flamsteed is not sufficient 

 to prove that a star does not exist. In the next place it should be recollected, that 

 the method used to ascertain the stars in estimating their brightness, is not so ac- 

 curate, as to point out with great precision the absolute situation of a star; and 

 that consequently another star which happens to be not far from the place where 

 the catalogue points out the star we look for, may be taken for it; especially when 



A a. 2 



