354 The Observatory at St. Martin. 



of Dr. Smallwood's own construction. The means of the three 

 observations is the measure adopted for the observation. 



The only other instrument deserving of notice is the one to de- 

 termine the terrestrial radiation ; and this also has been made by 

 Dr. Srnallwood. It consists of a mirror of speculum metal, (com- 

 posed of copper, zinc, and tin,) of six inches in diameter, and 

 wrought into the form of a parabolic surface, in the focus of which, 

 at the distance of eight feet, a self-registering spirit thermometer 

 is placed. The construction of this was a labor requiring great 

 nicety in execution, and involving the sacrifice of much time ; but 

 perseverance even here conquered the difficulties, and we witnessed 

 a mirror whose reflecting powers would not have disgraced Lord 

 Ross' telescope. In fact, placed in a telescope, it has, we are in- 

 formed, proved itself capable of resolving those singular stellar 

 curiosities — the double stars. 



Dr. Smallwood certainly deserves great credit for his persever- 

 ance of a favorite study, under the most unpromising circum- 

 stances; but in nothing is he so remarkable as in that peculiar 

 ingenuity which has led him to overcome difficulties in the prose- 

 cution of scientific enquiry, which, to most minds, would have 

 been utterly discouraging. 



The Natural History Society of Montreal have petitioned the 

 legislature for a grant of money to enable them to publish Dr. 

 Smallwood's tables of observations for the last twelve years. This 

 is a measure, on which no difference of opinion can be anticipa- 

 ted, and must meet with the support of every man who has the 

 welfare of science and Canada at heart. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE OBSERVATORY BY DR. SMALLWOOD. 



The observatory is placed in the magnetic meridian, is con- 

 structed of wood, and has an opening in the roof, furnished with 

 sliding shutters for taking observations by means of the Transit 

 Instrument, of the passage of a Star across the meridian for the 

 purpose of obtaining correct time. 



It is also connected by the Montreal telegraph with the princi- 

 pal places in the United States ; the wires being laid into the 

 Observatory. It ha3 also a seven-inch achromatic telescope, 11 

 feet focus. The object glass, by Frauenhofer of Munich, is mount- 

 ed equatorially and possesses right ascension and declination 

 circles ; and observations are taken on the heavenly bodies as 

 often as there are favourable nights. 



