for the year 1864. lxxv 



Magnetic, and Meteorological Observatories directed by our 

 Honorary Secretary, Mr. Ellery, in the early advancement 

 of which by the Government our Society played an important 

 part. 



In 1856, Professor Wilson brought under the notice of this 

 Society the important discoveries in Stellar astronomy 

 which had been made by Lord Rosse. The great optical 

 power which he had brought to bear on the double and 

 multiple stars, and on the nebula?, had revealed features in 

 the constitution of these systems, opening up wide fields for 

 the investigation of the student of physical astronomy. 



One of the most important points in connection with the 

 subject at that period was the marked difference in the 

 appearance of many of the nebulas, as seen in Lord Rosses 

 telescope, from their appearance in telescopes of lower 

 power. He pointed out that the southern heavens are pecu- 

 liarly rich in objects of this kind, and that the only observa- 

 tions which had been made were those of the two Herschels, 

 at the Cape of Good Hope, with telescopes of power far 

 inferior to that which modern mechanical skill places within 

 the reach of the astonomer. 



The Royal Society of Victoria appointed a committee to 

 take steps for inducing the Government to furnish the requi- 

 site means for establishing a powerful reflecting telescope in 

 Victoria ; and again in the following year appointed another 

 committee to consider the whole question of the establish- 

 ment of a Magnetical, Meteorological, and Astronomical 

 Observatory, on a scale commensurate with the position 

 occupied by the Colony. 



At that time astronomical observations were carried on at 

 Williamstown, by Mr. Ellery, with great zeal and energy, 

 though with very insufficient instrumental means, and in a 

 situation singularly unsuitable for the purpose. 



A series of meteorological observations were being carried 



