172 REPORT 1839. 



The Committee report, — That considerable progress has been 

 made in the reduction of the stars in Lacaille's Coeliim Australe 

 Stelliferum ; and that although only a small portion of the mo- 

 ney appropriated has been actually expended, nearly the whole 

 will probably be required during the ensuing year to complete 

 the work. 



On the subject of a resolution agreed to by the British Asso- 

 ciation at their Meeting at Newcastle, in August 1838, to the 

 following effect: — 



'' Resolv^ed, — That it is desirable that a revision of the nomen- 

 clature of the stars should be made, with a view to ascertain 

 whether or not a more correct distribution of them amongst the 

 present constellations, or such other constellations as it may be 

 considered desirable to adopt, may be formed. 



" That Sir J. Herschel, Prof. Whewell, and Mr. Baily, be a 

 Committee for that purpose, and do report on the same at the 

 next Meeting of the Association. 



" That the sum of 50/. be appropriated to defray any expenses 

 that may be incurred in this inquiry. '' 



Your Committee report, — That some progress has been made 

 in reforming the nomenclature of the northern constellations, 

 and that they have commenced laying down the stars in the 

 southern on a planisphere, according to their observed actual 

 magnitudes, for the purpose of grouping them in a more conve- 

 nient and advantageous manner. No expense has yet been in- 

 curred in this inquiry ; but the Committee are desirous that the 

 grant should be continued for another year. 



On the subject of a resolution adopted by the Meeting of the 

 British Association held at Newcastle, in August 1838, to the 

 following effect : — 



" Resolved, — that Sir J. Herschel and Mr. Baily be requested 

 to make application to Government for increase in the instru- 

 mental power of the Royal Observatory at the Cape of Good 

 Hope, and the addition of at least one assistant to that esta- 

 blishment." 



The Committee report, — That application had already been 

 made to Government previous to the date of this resolution, 

 viz. on the 29th June, 1838, and on other occasions, to the ef- 

 fect therein mentioned ; and that in consequence of those ap- 

 plications, aided no doubt by a knowledge of its being the wish 

 of the British Association, (such wish having been communi- 

 cated to Lord Minto by Sir J. Herschel in a letter dated Nov. 

 5, 1838,) they have great pleasure in being able to state, — 



1st. That — Mann, Esq., has been appointed as an addi- 



