59 



Mean Distance 3.607384 



Mean daily motion direct 517. "8667 



Mr. W. remarked that their general resemblance to those of 

 Dr. Goldschmidt, seemed conclusive as to the short period of 

 this heavenly body, which though cometary in its appearance 

 in the telescope, resembled the asteroids in the shape of its 

 orbit. 



In reply to a question from Dr. Patterson — whether there was 

 reason to believe, that the Comet had ever been seen before? 

 Mr. Walker stated, that he had not yet the necessary elements 

 for a decision. 



Stated Meeting, Jipril 19. 



Present, twenty-nine members. 



Dr. Bache, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Letters were announced and read: — 



1. From the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachu- 

 setts, dated Boston, Nov. 25th, 1844, offering to present to the 

 Society certain works, the results of scientific surveys made 

 under the direction of that Commonwealth: — 



2. From the Royal Geographical Society, dated London, Dec. 

 14, 1843, acknowledging the receipt of the Society's Proceed- 

 ings: — 



3. From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Bos- 

 ton, dated April 10th, 1844, enclosing the following resolutions 

 on the occasion of the death of the President of this Society: — 



Resolved, That the American Academy of Arts and Sciences has 

 received with pain the intelligence of the death of the learned Presi- 

 dent of the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, Peter S. 

 Du Ponceau, Esq. LL.D., and deeply sympathizes with that Society 

 on the loss of that eminent man, whose talents and patriotic services 

 have shed lustre upon our country, and conferred honour upon the 

 distinguished body over which he was selected to preside, as a wor- 



