308 Scientific Intelligence. 



acknowledged, I think, by any one who has ever reduced and dis- 

 cussed observations of this kind, for example, those of Mars made 

 in 1 862. I am confident that it is only by such action, and by 

 careful, thoughtful and deliberate preparation, that the American 

 observers can obtain results comparaltle in accuracy with those 

 that will be obtained by the German expeditions. I venture, 

 therefore, to suggest the following plan of operation. 



Let the National Academy and the American Association for 

 the Advancement of Science, at their next meetings, invite the 

 attendance of the Directors of all the astronomical observatories 

 in the country, and of all who are engaged in astronomical pursuits, 

 theoretical or practical. Let these astronomers discuss and decide 

 upon the stations to be occupied and the methods of observing the 

 transit. They should appoint committees who should have charge 

 of procuring instruments, selecting the observers and making prep- 

 arations for paying the expense of the expeditions. Besides the 

 scientific advantages to be gained, the hearty cooperation of our 

 astronomers, in the solution of such a problem, will bring about 

 mutual acquaintance and recognition of each other's abilities. 



The first meeting of the commission convoked by Chancellor 

 Bismarck for considering the approaching transit of Venus ^ras 

 held at Berlin, Oct. 25th, 1869. This commission consists ot 

 Plansen, president, and of Argelander, Paschen, Bruhns, 1 orster, 

 Auwers and Winnecke ; all experienced astronomers except ^>i. 

 P.schcn, appointed for his knowledge of photography. After- 

 ward the commission invited to join in its deliberations Dove oi 

 Ix'rlin, on account of his knowledge of meteorology, 

 Zollner of Leipsic for his knowledge of spectroscopr - 

 tions, and Otto Struve, Director of the Fulkowa Observu.y 

 The early action of the German government and its wisdmn 

 putting the matter into the hands of ' ' -.-«.,-..v.o7 . 



• b erv-i- 



) follow the methods proposed by the 

 delibera 



ndmaynot^^sl; 

 astronomers, but 

 prompt, deliberate, and concerted action, it «« 

 ould obtain good results. ,, v^m-m; 



2. 071 a Meteor seen at Konisha, Minn.; by Thos. M. ^ oi> ■ 

 ^>om a letter to Prof. Henry, Secretary of the Smithsoman in^ 

 on, and communicated by him).-I have the honor to re||^orU^'^. 

 xploded over this place at 2-20 p.m. on -a 

 aerolite seemed to come from the north of east, and vrher' 

 bed a point about four degrees north of west f .f 'M^j^ed 

 lat.45°10 long. 94° 10', and at an elevation of about 38 ^^^^%^^^y^ 

 with a detonation like the combined roar of a park of a ^^^^^^^^ 

 the concussion was so great as to shake houses. I "'^^'^ , t ^^rvers 

 four different points on a base line, 42 miles long, and oo^^ ^,^^ 

 at these points were not able to notice any divergence i ^^^ 

 general direction of N. 86° W., consequently the f'^^tan 

 have been great to the point at which the aerolite expode^^; ^^^^ 

 n. Fall of Meteoric Stones at Concord, ^/'*<>---T^^^'^''" 'blished 

 fall of fragments of a meteorite in Guernsey Co., Ohio, are puu 



