Letter from B. A. Gould. 471 
ears, The form of the corresponding curve is such 
to that comprised in the series of observations, that 
we fixed with accuracy. But I am inelined to 
~_— it will be found not to differ much from twenty-two years, 
n which event we have still another case of near commensura- 
bility with the mean period of the sun-spots. 
s regards the astronomical work there is little to communicate 
as yet. The Uranometry is not yet egies and Iam fea 
that it was a mistake to undertake the printing in this lien. 
ell ele 
remedy these difficulties, but it is of course at_ much expense of 
ergy: Th 
drawings having been obviated by the skill and assiduity of the 
hotolithugrapher, Mr. ere Bien of New York. My first 
assistant, Mr. John M. Thome, to whom more than to any other is 
ue w at accuracy the iereaniastons of magnitude may possess 
attended to the proofs. He returned a few weeks since, bringing 
with him some advanced copies, with which I am quite satisfied. 
The Atlas consists of thirteen charts, on the scale of a globe of 
is added a fourteenth as a sort of a Index-Map, to show the limits 
of the individual charts, the course of the Milky Way, and the 
general distribution of the stars. _ is sbi a Se course comprises 
ing as those between the meri dina ns of right ascension increase, 
The configurations are necessarily distorted, but the degree of 
aggregation of the stars is correctly given. 
S- As mentioned in former letters I have ventured upon rather a 
eo bold reformation of the boundaries of the constellations, whieh I 
ae earnestly hope may find approval with astronomers gene rally. 
Wherever possible, meridians and parallels (equinox of ght 
2 have been employed as boun lines, and in other 
circles so far as might well be. Yet the principle has been i 
lously followed that no important star, and none habitually 
designated by a Greek letter, should be t ransferred to a different 
constellation. By aslight sacrifice of this principle the symme | 
of the adopted boundaries might have been essentially increas 
= yet I have preferred to err upon what the safe side, 
: The text will be in English as well as se 05 but the Latin 
names of the constellations have been n preserv e only basis 
for international accordance in nomenclature. 
SOUS aceecpep pare MAU oe eee tars 
