JuNE 15, 1899] 
NAT ORE 
16! 
C. Dallas ; an Algerian Skink (Zzweces algeriensis) from North 
Africa, presented by Mr. R. H. Archer; a Rufescent Snake 
(Leptodiva hotambaeia), a Hissing Sand Snake (Psanmophes 
sibilans) from South Africa, presented by Mr. W. Champion ; 
three Barbary Turtle Doves ( Zvrtur rzsorzus) from Africa, pre- 
sented by Colonel E. J. Gardiner ; three Blue-necked Casso- 
waries (Casuarius intensus) from New Guinea, a Senegal Parrot 
(Pacocephalus senegalensis) from West Africa, two Mute Swans 
(Cygnus olor, 28), European; an Echidna (Zchidna hystrix) 
from New South Wales, deposited; a Hunting Crow (Céssa 
venatoria) from India, three Bar-tailed Godwits (Zzmosa lap- 
ponica). four Black-tailed Godwits (Zzmosa aegocephala), ten 
Green Lizards (Lacerla viridis), four Toads (Bombznator 
bombinus), European, purchased; a Japanese Deer (Cervzs 
stka, 8), an English Wild Cow (os taurus), two Squirrel-like 
Phalangers (Petaurus sctureus, 29), two. Short-headed Pha- 
langers (Petaurus breviceps, 2 6), a Patagonian Cavy (Dolichotus 
patachonica), a Crested Porcupine (Aystréx cristata), a Hybrid 
Lemur (between Lemur macaco and Lemur brunneus), born in 
the Gardens. 
OUR ASTRONOMICAL COLUMN. 
TEMPEL’s COMET (1873 II.)—Continued from <Astr. Nach. 
(Bd. 149, No. 3554). 
Ephemeris for 12h. Paris Mean Time. 
1899. R.A. Decl. Br 
» m. Ss. o ’ “ 
June 15 19 54 47'2 5 122 
16 56 11°5 5 22 24 
17 57 354 i g3 2 1829 
18 19 58 58°9 5 44 20 
19 20 O 21'9 5 56 19 
20 I 44°5 6 8 59 
21 SSI 077, 6 22 21 2°048 
22 4 28°5 6 36 27 
23 5 49°58 6 51 16 
24 7 10°7 7 6 49 
25 2Omon 3 Tcl — e230 2281 
The comet is now more than four times as bright as when it 
was first re-observed by Prof. Perrine at Lick on May 6. 
Perihelion passage occurs on the 18th inst. During the period 
included in the above ephemeris the comet travels from the 
south-eastern part of Aquila to the north-west of Capricornus, 
being about 5° due north of a Capricorni on the 25th. 
RETURN OF Comet Hormes (1892 III. ).—Continued from 
Astr. Nach. (Bd. 149, No. 3553). 
Ephemeris tor 12h, Greenwich Mean Time. 
1899. R.A Decl. Br. 
» m, s. @ ‘ “un 
Tune “LSE 2263853 +18 47 18 0'0341 
17 22 56°5 19 23 22 
19 29 13°8 19 59 19 
21 32 29°9 20 35 8 00351 
23 35 449 21 10 50 
25 38 58° 21 46 25 
27 42 114 22 21 51 0'0362 
29 1 45)-22°7 +22 57 10 
During the above period the comet moves from near 
7 Piscium to about 2 degrees north of 8 Arietis. 
A telegram from Kiel, dated June 12, announces the first de- 
tection of thiscomet by Prof. Perrine at the Lick Observatory. 
The observation was made on June 10, at 15h. 2°2m. Lick Mean 
Time, the recorded position being 
th. 15m. 32s. 
cet 7 = 291 3917, 
which will be seen to be fairly in agreement with the computed 
position. The comet is described as being very faint. 
Comer 1899 a (Swirt).—A circular from the Central Bureau 
at Kiel calls attention to the importance of the increase of 
brightness of this comet, which was recorded by several ob- 
servers on June 4 last. Herr Kreutz has received a telegram 
NO. 1546, VOL. 60] 
from Herr Pokrowsky, of Dorpat, stating that communications 
received by him from Vienna, Bamburg and Hamburg, confirm 
the fact that on June 4 a decided brightening of this 
comet took place. The increase of magnitude was from 6 
on June 2nd and 3rd to 54 on the 4th. A telegram also from 
Herr Hartwig gives further details. ‘t The nucleus was of 
9°5 magnitude, the total brightness being of magnitude 5. 
Greatest diameter of Coma about 9’; increase of brightness 
undoubted.” 
Another, from Herr Schorr, states: ‘‘ Strong eccentric fixed 
star-like nucleus of 6°5 magnitude. Total brightness of comet 
5 magnitude. Coma 9’ in diameter.” 
It will also be remembered that there was a decided increase 
in brightness of this comet from May 9 to 23, after which it 
gradually began to decline until the above sudden change was 
noted. 
WuiTE Spor ON JurireR.—Herr Ph. Fauth, writing from 
a private observatory at Landstuhl to dstr. Mach. (Bd. 149, 
No. 3570), announces the observation on several occasions of a 
brilliant white spot on the north-eastern belt of the planet. 
The marking was observed to pass central meridian on May 8 
at Ith. 25m., and on May 18 at gh. 33m. It is about 4” in 
diameter. The observations were made with a telescope of 7 
inches aperture. 
Two New VARIABLE STARS.—M. Luizet, of the Lyons 
Observatory, announces in As¢r. Wach. (Bd. 149, No. 3570) his 
observations leading to the discovery of two new variable 
stars in the constellations Vulpecula and Cygnus respectively. 
The first is U Vulpeculae, 
B.D. + 20°°4200. R.A. 
Decl. 
Four comparison stars were used and forty-three observations 
made during the period August 4 to December 26, 1898. These 
observations after reduction are plotted as the light curve, 
which is symmetrical and similar to that of § Geminorum. A 
maximum was found to fall on the date 
1898 October, 21°61 Paris Mean Time, 
LONE OM ease oe 
+ 20° 08. fess ere 
and this in conjunction with a previously observed maximum by 
MM. Miiller and Kempf, 
1897 October, 2°4765 Paris Mean Time, 
gives the period as 
8-003 days. 
The elements of the star U Vulpecule are therefore adopted 
as 
1897 October, 2°4765 Paris M.T. + 8:003d. E, 
The second variable is S U Cygni, the position being 
B.D. + 28°°3460. R.A. 19h. 39m. 105. | 
Decl. + 28° 54'°9. J 
Fifty-eight observations of this star were made from July 9 to 
December 26, 1898, and the results again plotted to give the 
light curve. 
The period is determined to be 
3°846d., 
and succeeding maxima may be calculated from the elements : 
1897 October, 4°6665 Paris M.T. + 3°846d. E. 
This star has a light curve showing an zvvegz/ar decrease of 
brightness from maximum during about 2°7d., and a more regular 
increase during 1°I1d., these features showing the variability to be 
somewhat analogous to that of 6 Cephei. 
18550. 
THE BORE AT MONCTON, BAY OF FUNDY} 
M ONCTON is situated on the Petitcodiac River, nineteen 
miles above the mouth of the Petitcodiac, where it enters 
the Bay of Fundy. This part of the river is more correctly an 
estuary which continues thirteen miles further up, as far as 
Salisbury Junction. At high tide the river at Moncton formsa 
sheet of water half a mile in width, while at low tide it con- 
sists of mud banks and flats, with a stream about 500 feet wide 
1 Abridged by Prof. G. H. Darwin from an advance copy of the Report 
for 1898 of the Tidal Department of the Survey of Canada, sent by Mr. 
W. Bell Dawson. 
