132 Scientific Intelligence. 
The name of the new planet seems not yet quite determined. The 
tee ta se ee of Janus, Oceanus, Neptunus, Atlas, &c. have 
ropose rrier, to ‘whom the right of imposing the name 
poe artes belongs, has sdehegated this right to M. Arago. The latter 
declares that it ought to bear the name of its illustrious discoverer, and 
denominates it Le Verrier. It seems unwise thus to depart from the re- 
ceived system of nomenclature; as Uranus and the five small planets 
must then change their ‘ideo: and it is also quite possible that the names 
of future discoverers may be either unpleasantly short or immoderately 
long, or otherwise unsuited for this celestial use. 
5. New ets.—A — was idobdorda (Com. Ren., Oct. 5, 
1846) i in Ursa Maier, by De Vico at Rome, about 8 p. m., Sept. 23, 1846. 
Its R. A. and N. decl. were. dindlnisbice Its approximate place, ees 
23, 10> 11™ 29%, iy R. A. 23" 65 less than tau Urse majoris, and 
oeebe ation 7 
telescopic pues was detected (Lond. Atheneum, Oct. 24, 1846) in 
be constellation Coma Berenices, by Mr. J. R. Hind d, London, about 4 
4.m., Oct. 19, 1846. It was a a faint nebulosity, 2’ or 3 j in diameter, with 
a central bright spot. Daily motion, in R. A. about 3™ 12% increasing; 
dec]. diminishing 12’. The following are two positions obtained by com- 
parison with Beta Leonis. 
Oct. 18, 16°15" 11', Grm.t. 1159491 14 59 22 
17_ 2 23 11 59 575 14 59 8 
It is supposed to be a different body from that discovered by De Vico, 
Sept. 23. 
V. Miscecnangeous INTELLIGENCE. 
1, Smithsonian Institution.—As this Institution is now taking on a 
definite form, under the law of Congress approve 10, 
be desirable to give an outline of its leading features, and to designate 
the valuable objects which we trust will be accomplished under it. It 
wil at James Smithson, Esq., of London, gave his 
whole property to the United States of America, to found at Washington, 
under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an ye for the 
increase and diffusion of knowledge among men. The sum of mone. 
paid into the United States Treasury under this bill, was $515.1 169, which 
has been on interest at 6 en cent. since Septem mber Ist, 1838, yielding, 
on the Ist of ae 1847, the a sum of $242, 1129. 
are, for their respective terms 0 ‘office, constituted an a 
