Se es ee 
Pe oho Eee oe ee a ad we a on 
ee eee Bi i do eg 
: 
Astronomy. 129 
mild Irish winter, the common British form, pee by its side, was un- 
affected by cold and retained it its usual “~ color.” Although “ no ar- 
to be considered. Probably in the station from which these specimens 
were lately transferred, as well as in Iceland and the higher Alps, whence 
r. Seemann has the same form, the plant was accustomed to complete 
protection by snow from changes of temperature the whole — ig 
Unfortunately we have no specimens from Newfoundland, a 
plants. Jpon examination of these, we do not find that the indicated 
differences in structure (mainly the naked pedicels, broader sepals, we 
tip of flowering branches not continued into a leafy shoot while the 
ering lasts) coincide or hold out. So that as yet a second outa ean 
A. @. 
hardly be said to be established. 
IV. ASTRONOMY. 
1. Observations of Venus near its inferior Conjunction —With the ex- 
cellent Equatorial of the Sheffield Scientific School, made by Clark & 
Sons, and having 9 inches clear aperture, Venus was carefully observed, in 
close proximity to the Sun, both before and after her late inferior con- 
junction, which happened on the 11th of December. At her nearest 
approach (9° 52™ a.m, ), the planet was only 22’ from the Sun’s northern 
limb, and ~ the conjunction occurred a day earlier, there would have 
been a tran 
On the Toth, the planet was seen and measured, at 35 30" p.m., when 
only 1° 8’ from the Sun’s limb, and might have been observed later, but 
for the risk to the eyes, (alrendy severely nae from the strong sunlight, 
which tae not well be shut off from the ope. 
On the day of eajubesiee no obtidge was made to find the planet. 
On the day following, (the 12th.) it was ad seen, at 112 30™ a. w 
being then about 1° 36’ from the Sun’s 
Some days before ee i arate it was apparent that the bean 
formed more than a semicircle—on the 7th, full 40° more by m 
ment.. On the 10th, it formed a solids cirele—bright, thin oe deli. 
cate (the crescent proper), on the side toward the Sun, but on the opposite 
side, a mere faint line of light, very difficult to be seen, on account of 
the strong light in the field, and the atmospheric disturbance. Yet, by 
glim mpses, it was distinctly perceived as a ring; by several observers, and 
constantly as more than t iree-fourt rths of a circle. 
The appea 
the 12th, the day after the eobjunation, Yet, the jas was the 
was aia cut off from the object glass, by the shutter of the observa- 
Such a compromise pobiees sun-light and planet- ge gare. gene- 
rally the ae views, except twice, about noon, when, fortunately, a pass- 
ing cloud left the planet in sight for a few seconds, while yet the Sun 
was obscured. The background was then comparatively dark, and the 
An, perce Sct.—Sreconp Serres, Vou. XLIII, No, 127.—Jan., 1867. 
17 
