Miscellanies. 229 
intensity from the prominent or convex part of the medal, changes the 
molecular state of the glass, in passing to its lower surface. ‘The image 
is rendered visible, by the most gentle breath. The vapor is deposited 
in little drops on all the parts of which the molecular condition is 
changed, whilst it is deposited uniformly where no such change exists. 
(Berlin, 22d March.)—Comptes Rendus, April 3, 1843. 
9. Great Comet of 1843.—This splendid comet, which was seen in 
the sunshine on the 28th day of February last by thousands of spec- 
tators in New England, and which for a month after adorned the 
evening sky with its long and brilliant train, has excited uncommon 
interest in all quarters of the globe. A letter from Mr. John Tay- 
lor, of Liverpool, to the Editors of this Journal, states that in the 
Isle of France, (S. lat. 20°,) the comet was seen in great splendor 
from the 28th of February to the 8th of March, (and doubtless later,)— 
the train resembling “a stream of fire from a furnace.” At Bombay, 
(N. lat. 19°,) the train was discovered shortly after sunset March 4, as 
a long, straight beam of light streaming from the western horizon to- 
wards the zenith. The next night the nucleus, or at least the lower 
termination of the comet, became distinctly apparent. From this time 
onward, numerous observations were taken at that place, but with what 
precision remains to be seen. Similar accounts have been received from 
various places on both sides of the equator; yet we have no evidence 
that by any of these early observers (except Mr. Clarke of Portland) 
was the position of the nucleus accurately determined. This defi- 
ciency is matter of great regret, as it is obvious that good measures of 
the place of the nucleus taken within a week after the perihelion 
passage, would far outweigh in value those which were made during 
the latter part of the month of March. 
It appears quite probable that the train of this comet was seen in the 
evening before the perihelion passage, at Bermuda, Philadelphia, and 
Porto Rico, on the 19th, 23d and 26th of February. Some of the ob- 
servations on which this statement is founded, need however further 
investigation before they are given to the public. 
In stating at p. 413 of the last volume of this Journal the distance 
of the nucleus of the comet from the sun on the 28th of February, as 
measured by Mr. F. G. Clarke, of Portland, Me., an error was commit- 
ted, which is corrected in the following valuable memoranda, which have 
been kindly furnished me by that gentleman. The nucleus and also 
every part of the tail, as seen by him, in strong sunshine, were as well 
defined as the moon onaclear day. The nucleus and tail bore the 
same appearance, and resembled a perfectly pure white cloud, without 
any variation except a slight change near the head, just sufficient to 
