Astronomy. A437 
~ Jan. 23. Companion: has the appearance of two tails, one nearly 
parallel to Biela’s, the other reaching over to his nucleus or rather 
just to the south’of it. ; ; 
Jan. 28. Biela exhibited a pointed nucleus; caught glimpses of a 
point of condensed light in nucleus of companion. ‘ 
Feb. 4. A decided stellar nucleus to each comet, appearing like a. 
sharp point of light. Tails reaching almost across the field and nearly 
Feb. 11. The nucleus of companion decidedly stellar; that of 
Biela ditfused, and by no means as bright. 
Feb. 12. Glimpses of two nuclei in Biela ; tail full one third across 
the field. Tail of companion nearly parallel with Biela’s. Catch 
glimpses of another tail extending towards Biela just above a straight 
line between the two, and in a sort of arch. Appearance of two tails 
to Biela, second going off in a direction opposite from companion. 
Feb. 21. Ragged condensation of light in nucleus of Biela. Both 
tails parallel, extending across the field. 
Feb. 22. A band of nebulous matter, a little arched, joins the two. 
Appearance of a double nucleus about Biela. Has three tails radiating 
at angles of 120° to each other. The tail of Biela extends three times 
the field, say 45’. 
Feb. 26. Biela has a tripod tail—the one extending opposite to the 
companion very distinct. Confused appearance about the nucleus of 
Biela as though there were several nuclei. 
-~ March 5. Companion has no apparent nucleus ; is exceedingly faint, 
and without any mark of condensation. 
March 8. One of Biela’s tails points directly east—the other re 
mains as it was. 
~ March 10. No stellar nucleus to either comet. No tail to Biela by 
the moonlight. 
, “March 14. Appearance of cometary fragments about Biela. Counted 
five of them in this position $%. . 
: * ee Goiap ante is fs very diffused mass of exceedingly faint 
nebulous matter. No appearance of fragments about Biela. pe 
“March 21. Companion very faint, muddy ; a shining point in a dim 
Patch of light about its nucleus. 
_ March 30, Saw the two tails to 
% could n n. ' : : 
| . pase deo ciise observations it probably will not be doubted that 
these two bodies had some connection with each other; that the one 
which we have called Biela was the main body ; and that the compan- 
ion was formed of matter which proceeded from Biela. The question 
‘ 
Biela as formerly. Companion 
£ 
