Chemistry and Physics. ~ 315 
attempted to move the telescope to the east of the sun, the 
lower end, by plunging into the ground, would prevent me, 
and I was therefore compelled to devote all my time to the 
region west of the sun, which accounts for my getting so many 
views of the objects. From this cause, also, the sweeps were 
very irregular. 
wish astronomers with large instruments would make the 
attempt to observe Theta Cancri, before the sun withdraws too 
far, and if successful then the objects seen by me, we need not 
despair of their being again observed at some future time with- 
out a total eclipse or even in transit. 
et the experiment of detecting a star of the 45 or 5 mag- 
nitude, and from 2° to 6° from the sun, at a large or annular 
eclipse, be tried. The result may be to settle this question, and 
remove all doubt. Respectfully yours, 
LEWIS SWIFT. 
Rear Admiral Jonn RopeErs, . 
Superintendent United States Naval Observatory, Washington, D. C. 
PCIRNTIFPIC INTELLIGENCE. 
I. CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS. 
1. On the Determination of high Melting and Boiling Points.— 
CaRNELLEY has improved and extended the method for determin- 
ing high melting points which he proposed in 1876. The method 
t 
lues obta 
Save melting points entirely trustworthy. The numbers repre- 
fenting these are given in a from boric acid 
B(OH), 186°, to sodium sulphate Na,SO, 861°, and including 
about a hundred salts, 
