EEVIEWS. 185 



The above remarks by very eminent observers, fully bear out the 

 occurrence of such phenomena as recorded at Barrie, on the evening 

 in question. To account satisfactorily for all such appearances is 

 another matter. Mr. Hind seems disposed to refer the differences 

 which so many practised observers have exhibited, with regard to 

 the occultation of Aldebaran, to the instruments employed, and to 

 the observers themselves, for a satisfactory explanation of the whole. 



The question to be decided on the present occasion, is 

 whether it is probable that the projection of Spica upon the moon's 

 limb, as described by the observer at Barrie, is in anyway connected 

 with atmospheric or optical causes, which may have influenced 

 the peculiar appearance of the stars on that night, or rather morn- 

 ing — or whether it is to be ascribed to a lunar atmosphere, to an 

 optical illusion, or to some other cause. On these points I do not 

 presume to offer an opinion ; but leave them for the consideration 

 of the members of the Institute, some of whom may be able 

 to give a more satisfactory reply than I can. In conclusion I may 

 observe that this paper contains but a moderate amount of original 

 matter, but if the subject is one deserving attention, the quotations 

 from authors of repute are necessarily frequent and unavoidable for 

 its due consideration. 



REVIEWS 



Becherclies sur les principes Mathematiques de la Theorie des Mch- 

 esses, par August in Cournot, Recteur de V Academie et Professeur 

 de la Faculte' des Sciences de Grenoble. Paris: Hachette, 1838, 

 " Whatever is obscure is not French." said Voltaire in allusion 

 to the French language. Since Voltaire's day, the remark may be 

 extended to many other developments of French intellect besides 

 their language. In matters of pure science, whether inductive or 

 analytical, the French justly rank foremost of the age since Newton 

 died, but most especially do they surpass all other nations in the 

 precision and clearness of style with which their writers are in the 

 habit, seemingly instinctive, of presenting their subject for discus- 

 sion ; and in dissecting the most recondite and intricate phenomena, 

 they handle the scalpel with an easy grace which nos autres are fain 

 to admire but try to imitate in vain : whatever objections we may 



