JANUARY 4, 1901.] 
Professor Updegraff, has been under strict 
investigation, with a view to determining 
the causes of several faults made apparent 
by the routine work and probably una- 
voidable in a new instrument. 
In the meridian work a total of 1,114 ob- 
servations of zone stars and a total of 3,105 
observations in the sun, moon and planet 
work have been made during the year. 
The XII.-inch equatorial has been used 
for observations of comets, asteroids and 
other miscellaneous objects, and will soon 
undergo some extensive repairs and alter- 
ations. 
Assistant astronomer George A. Hill has 
devoted the prime vertical transit to obser- 
vations of a Lyre and a small list of suit- 
able stars in the investigation of the vari- 
ation of latitude and the constants of 
nutation and aberration, and the same ob- 
server has used the new V.-inch steel alt- 
azimuth instrument principally as a zenith 
telescope for observations for latitude by 
Talcott’s method, and for the declinations of 
stars of the American Ephemeris. 
The 40-foot photoheliograph has been 
used in making daily photographs of the 
sun whenever the weather permitted, ex- 
cept after April 2d, during preparations for 
the observations of the total eclipse of the 
sun on May 28th. 
By an appropriation of $5,000 the Observ- 
atory was able to undertake observations 
of the total eclipse of the sun on the date 
above mentioned. Two parties were sent 
into the field, and attention is respectfully 
invited to the detailed report of the astro- 
nomical director on this subject, and also to 
the recommendation for an appropriation 
to cover the expenses of a similar expedition 
this year, in the eclipse of May 17, 1901, 
which is approved and indorsed. 
Preparations are now in progress for in- 
stalling at the Observatory a new standard 
elock which shall be entirely freed from the 
influences of changes of temperature, and 
_ or later to use. 
SCIENCE. r 
the recommendations of the astronomical 
director on this subject are approved. 
The work of bringing up the publications 
of observations to date, which has been in 
arrears for several years, is being vigorously 
pushed, and the issue of the first volume of 
the new series of Washington observations, 
commencing with the first year of the Ob- 
servatory’s work on the present site, will 
soon occur, to be followed by the succeed- 
ing volumes in rapid succession. The de- 
lay in the publication of its work has been 
made a reproach to the Observatory, al- 
though the causes of this delay have been 
reasonable and unavoidable, but the most 
earnest and determined effort is being made 
to relieve the Observatory of a condition 
which has been used to its disadvantage in 
outside criticism. 
The report of the astronomical director 
is herewith transmitted in full. 
The department of magnetism has been 
discontinued, as noted in the last report of 
the superintendent. The buildings and in- 
struments are, however, maintained in per- 
fect order under the charge of assistant 
astronomer Theo. I. King. The George- 
town and Tennallytown Electric Railway 
has already installed a return wire which, 
it is reasonable to suppose, it intends sooner 
When this road ceases to 
ground its powerful working currents, an 
attempt will be made to resume magnetic 
observations atthe Observatory. The re- 
sultisdubious. Moreover, the Observatory 
is to a lesser extent within the influence of 
the Chevy Chase road, which would con- 
tinue to affect observations. 
BOARD OF VISITORS. 
As noted in my last report, and for the 
first time in its history, a board of visitors 
was appointed which visited the Observa- 
tory in June and again in September, re- 
maining a few days at each visit. As the 
report of the board, which was not made 
° 
