97 
of the two journeys across the continent, with the accompany- 
ing tables of physical constants for a large number of sta- 
tions, and meteorological records during each transit, form a 
valuable contribution to the results of the expedition. And 
together with these are published reports by the most com- 
petent authorities whose aid Gilliss could enlist on his 
return, giving descriptions and classifications of the various 
objects of natural history collected during the three years. 
There is also an interesting chapter by Mr. Ewbank, upon 
the curious antiquities brought home from Chile and Peru. 
The third volume contains the observations for deducing 
the Parallax, together with their discussion as heretofore 
described. The fourth and fifth, as yet unpublished, are, 
as I have stated, to contain respectively the absolute de- 
terminations with the meridian-circle, and the invaluable 
circumpolar zones. 
If I have devoted much time and space to the descrip- 
tion of this interesting and valuable expedition, it is because 
few others on record have accomplished so much, in propor- 
tion to the means provided, and because the results have 
been especially honorable to all those who took part in 
it, from the legislators, who introduced the measure in 
Congress, to the Chilian government, who purchased the in- 
struments and equipments, when the contemplated work was _ 
done, and have established the first really National Observ- 
atory of the Western Continent. And moreover, in so far 
as the admirable Naval Observatory in this city may be 
regarded as a National Observatory, Gilliss’s name is no less 
inseparably connected with the one than with the other. 
Professor Moesta, a graduate of Marburg in Hesse, and a 
Chilian by residence, was appointed Director of the National 
Observatory of Chile, and has conducted it with honor to 
himself, and to the government which placed it in his charge. 
f § 
