'238 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



Biela's is another remarkable one of this elass of celestial objects. Being 

 observed several times it was found to have a periodic time of six years and eight 

 months. In the latter part of the year 1845 it was expected, and appeared, as 

 usual, nothing remarkable being noticed, but in January, 1846, the astronomers 

 of the Washington Observatory found it had separated into two distinct parts. 

 At first one part was faint, but in about a month its brightness had increased so 

 as to equal that of its companion. They disappeared in April, the amount of 

 separation being about 200,000 miles. It was next due in 1852, and was looked 

 for with great interest; when found, it was still divided only to a greater extent 

 than in 1846, the space having increased to 1,500,000 miles. 



This twin comet passed out of view on the 29th of September, 1852, and has 

 not since been seen, time enough having passed for them to make four revolutions. 

 At the return, due in 1872, the earth was in a very favorable position to see 

 them, but they appeared not. They had seemingly vanished. As the earth 

 passed through the orbit it encountered a small shower of meteors ; which were 

 probably a part of the lost comets. 



Another bright comet appeared in 1843 5 the most careful investigation of its 

 motion indicates that it will return in 530 years. Donati's ; this great comet first 

 appeared in 1858 ; it attained its maximum brilliancy in October. Its tail then 

 measured 40° in length 10° in breadth; observations showed its orbit to be ellip- 

 tical, and that it will appear again about the year 3808. 



Comets were formerly regarded with superstitious terror, as precursors of 

 famine, war, and other misfortunes. In more modern times the fear of a collision 

 made them dreadful objects. This fear has been dispelled by the discovery of 

 their great rarity. A collision might be fatal to the comet, but could do no in- 

 jury to a solid body like the earth. 



On June 26, 1881, I observed a comet in the north west, its right ascension 

 was 6 h. and declination 60° north; the tail measured 7° in length and 1° in 

 width. The direction of its motion was north and west, nearly at a right angle 

 to the ecliptic. It occupied the position of a circumpolar star and was above the 

 horizon all the time. When last observed, July 12th, its polar distance was 8°; 

 the tail I could not measure, owing to the moon being too near full. This is 

 known as Comet " B " of 1881. 



THE COMET OF 1881. 



TRANSLATED BY CAPTAIN J. M. TROWBRIDGE. 



When the last light of daylight has disappeared, and the starry heavens 

 appear in all the splendor of a summer's night, all observation is attracted at 

 this time toward the northwestern horizon where a beautiful comet, visible to the 

 .naked eye, shows itself with a truly remarkable lustre. 



What is this Comet? It appeared unannounced the 29th of May. Mr. 

 -Cruls, Director of the Observatory of Rio de Janeiro, observed it for the first at 



