196 



obtaining in this way the Julian epact for 1582, and advancing the 

 epacts by a unit, which is equivalent to the tabular arrangements 

 made at the transition to the Gregorian Calendar in that year, the 

 first equation of column C becomes 1. From this the succeeding 

 equations of that column were derived, as follows: Every centurial 

 figure, at which, in successive periods of 25 centuries, (beginning at 

 1800, 4300, 6800, &c.,) the epact is, according to the Gregorian 

 law, to be increased by a unit — a correction which occurs at the end 

 of every 300 years, seven times in succession, and then once at the 

 end of 400 years (making 8 corrections in the course of 2500 years) — ■ 

 was marked with an asterisk. Then descending, century by century, 

 in the central column of eras, the equation in column C was kept the 

 same, wherever an asterisk is met with on either side. The last equation 

 was diminished by 1 whenever there was no asterisk, and increased 

 by 1 whenever the asterisk appeared on both sides, limiting the 

 series by the cycle of 30, and considering 30 as always equivalent 

 to 0. 



The epacts obtained by means of the table thus formed, and the 

 rule, Mr. M'llvaine found to be in exact correspondence with those 

 set down in the Extended Tables of Epacts given in the ordinary trea- 

 tises upon the Calendar. 



Mr. M'llvaine then explains his method of obtaining, in the table 

 for finding "Easter, four fixed numbers in each Calendar, by means 

 of which he arrives at once at the Paschal term, or day of the month 

 in March or April, on which Easter Sunday depends. The day of 

 the week corresponding to this is then to be found by the Civil 

 Calendar, and the succeeding Sunday is, of course, Easter Sunday. 



Mr. Kane announced to the Society the death of the Ho- 

 nourable Joseph Story, who died at Cambridge, Mass., on 

 Wednesday, 10th September, 1845, in the 65th year of his 

 age. 



On motion of Mr Kane, Mr. William Rawle was appointed 

 to prepare a necrological notice of Judge Story. 



Mr. T. I. Wharton, from the Committee on the Claim of the 

 executors of the late Mr. Nathan Dunn, reported. 



On motion of Dr. Patterson, the Committee was continued 

 without being required to report until specially ordered. 



