CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 215 
and asserts roundly that such an object was actually seen “ by Mr. Lloft and 
others, on the 6th of January, 1818,’ but who Mr. Lloft—and who the others 
were—seems not to be known to the present generation of astronomers. Mr. Scott 
is also of opinion that his planet cannot be Doctor Lescarbault’s, on account of the 
difference in size. Another correspondent of the Zimes writes, that a conjunction 
of Lesearbault’s planet, must have occurred at the dates of both Mr. Lloft’s and 
Mr. Scott’s observations, but Mv. Hind comes to the conclusion, that at neither of 
them could this planet have been visible. Transits this year may be expected 
between the 25th March and 10th April, and between 28th September and 13th 
October; each transit not exceeding four hours and a half in duration, It is to be 
hoped that astronomers will catch the wanderer at one of these periods. Mean- 
while it will be curious to ascertain whether this planet, or one of its group may 
not explain the puzzling observations by Cassini and others, of a supposed satellite 
of Venus. J. B.C. 
CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 
SEsston—1859-60. 
FIRST ORDINARY MEETING—38rd December, 1859. 
Hon. G. W. Autan, M,L.C., President, in the Chair. 
I. The Report of the Council relative to the change of name of the Institute was 
read and laid on the Zable. 
(Copy.) 
Final Report of Committee on proposed change of name and new charter. 
To the Council of the Canadian Institute-—Your Committee beg to report 
that, in furtherance of the directions remitted to them relative to the proposed 
change of name of the Institution and the suggested application for a Royal 
Charter with extended powers— 
They obtained an interview with His Excellency, who was pleased to express 
his willingness to exercise his full official influence for the accomplishment of the 
wishes of the Institute. 
At the same time His Excellency expressed some doubt as to the expediency 
of conferring the exclusive right to such a name as The Royal Society of Canada, 
on an Institution having its head quarters permanently established in Upper 
Canada; and reserved his final decision on that point.” 
From the information, however, which your committee received, as to the 
probable cost of a Royal Charter, added to the difficulties suggested in reference 
to the proposed designation of the Institute, they recommend that the Council 
delay for the present taking any steps for procuring such new charter. At the 
same time your committee feel bound to represent to the Council that their 
conviction of the injuries to be apprehended from the confusion of the Canadian 
Institute with Mechanics’ Institutes and other societies of a merely local character, 
consequent on the correspondence in name, is inno degree abated. In the debates 
in the Legislative Assembly during the past Session, which led to the withdrawal 
