The Lunar Crater Linne, 59 



shore cf If. Seven, to Sulpicius Gallus* is a minute darkish 

 looking crater ; it is not well seen under these circumstances, 

 but there can be no doubt as to its nature. This I presume is 

 Linne 1 , as I can trace no crater anywhere else. At some little 

 distance S.E. there is an ill-defined whitishness on the floor of 

 the Mare" Such was my record at the time ; but on sub- 

 sequently examining the map of B. and M. I was much struck 

 by finding that my crater was unmistakeably Linne B, and that 

 the site of Linne was occupied by the whitish cloud. 



1866. Dec. 14. 6h. Same telescope and power: bad defi- 

 nition. Terminator through centre of Archimedes. The whitish 

 spot in the place of Linne is barely as large as SuVp. Gallus ; 

 it is the most conspicuous object in E. half of if. Seven. Linne 

 B not visible. 



1866. Dec. 25. 19|h. Same telescope, power 170. Fine 

 definition, too much rippled over for distinctness. Linne a very 

 conspicuous white nebulous patch, containing some very indis- 

 tinct and almost doubtful marking within it ; I forget whether 

 dark or light, but believe the latter : not such, however, as to 

 suggest the idea of a crater under present definition. It is 

 about equal to, but not quite so bright as, the larger of two 

 white spots just N.E. of Sulp. Gallus. Linne A, B, d, and an 

 unnamed hollow -±- of the distance from Linne B to Calippus K, 

 were all very distinct as craters. (This, it will be observed, 

 was in waning illumination.) 



1867. Jan. 12. 5h. 35m. Same telescope, powers 212, 

 240. Unsteady and inferior definition. Ring of Cassini half 

 in light, so that shadow of a peak in it fell on ring of Cassini A. 

 TJicadetus half touched by sun. On the site of Linne, nothing 

 but a small ill-defined whitish cloud, not quite so large as Sulp). 

 Gallus. There appears to be some slight marking as from a 

 small shadow towards its centre, but far too indistinct to say 

 whether caused by hill or hollow. Three small craters with dark 

 interior shadow are quite distinct in moments of better defini- 

 tion. I believe they were Linne A, B, and the unnamed one 

 already mentioned, but I did not examine the map till clouds 

 had come on. The white cloud was by no means bright or 

 conspicuous, though perfectly distinct. 



The speculum used in these observations, though its figure 

 has not received its final touch, gives very sharp and clear 

 definition, and separates <y 2 Andromedae with great ease. The 

 value of the powers is at present only approximate. 



It will be, of course, most desirable to watch for the 

 moment when Linne has just entered into sunshine, and its 

 relief comes out in light and shade. It would be troublesome 



*A small bright crater in the Mare, close to the S. shore, some distance E. of 

 Menelaus. 



