L. Boss— Tail of Comet b, 1881. 305 
B. A. C. 4349, and at a-distance from it equal to about one-fifth 
the distance between that star and Polaris. The last direction of 
the axis is toward 6 Urse Minoris. The distance of Polaris from 
the preceding edge of the tail is nearly equal to the distance 
between Polaris and 2 Urse Minoris. The breadth at three- 
fourths the distance from the nucleus is about three degrees. 
July 1,12" 15", Sketch.—State of sky not remarkably fine. 
The tail is much shorter than heretofore, and its appearance 
entirely changed. There is no trace of the straight ray seen on 
June 26 and 28. The preceding edge of the tail appears nearly 
straight. It is brighter and extends to a greater distance from 
the nucleus than the following edge. e latter is strongly 
curved near the end. The breadth is about three degrees at the 
widest part. a 
J , 10" 15".—Tail single, faint, and diffuse. Estimated 
length seven degrees, Breadth near the end, about 40’, Th 
direc‘ion of the axis prolonged passes to the east of ¢ Urs 
Minoris, at a distance about one fifth that between ¢ and 6 Urse 
inoris, 
twelve. Field 2° 30’. Sky fine. Two branches seen. The first 
is nearly straight and brighter than the other. Estimated width 
10’, 20 
posed of a great number of parallel bright streaks. This 
The breadth here is estimated t 
lines are carefully laid in on the Durchmusterung chart, and their 
position relatively to stars frequently compared with the sky 
rire the progress of the sketch. Sky suddenly clouded at 
30", 
or the points most carefully determined, and with such 
4pproximation as appears to be warranted by the precision of 
the observations, we have for positions of points in the tails on 
the respective dates : 
