1865. J Astronomy. 77 



an equatorial which can be clamped in any desired position in or out of 

 the meridian, so as to remain immovable during the required interval. 

 It is intended to observe the transit of groups of stars near together 

 at different periods of the year, and to record the observations by the 

 chronographic method. We thus perceive that the automatic method 

 of registering astronomical phenomena, is step by step extending. 

 There is a degree of proficiency beyond which no amount of training 

 can carry human skill ; and when this has been reached, it is a fit and 

 proper development to call in the resources of the human intellect to 

 devise mechanical contrivances which shall accomplish any desired 

 end with a precision not attainable by human organs, however highly 

 trained. 



Whilst we are speaking on the subject of clocks we may mention 

 that at a late meeting of the Literary and Philosophical Society of 

 Manchester, Mr. Baxendell described a remarkable derangement of his 

 sidereal clock caused by the earthquake wbich occurred on the 26th 

 of September. At the same time he suggested a new method of re- 

 gistering the occurrence of earthquake shocks based upon this circum- 

 stance. 



A new planet, making the eighty-first of the group existing between 

 Mars and Jupiter, has just been discovered by M. Temple of Marseilles. 

 Its brilliancy is that of a star between the eleventh and twelfth mag- 

 nitude. The discovery has been confirmed by the observations of 

 M. Luther, of Bilk. 



An interesting illustration of the dependence of one science upon 

 another has just been shown by the chemical analysis of the remarkable 

 meteorite which fell at Orgueil. MM. Descloizeaux, Daubree and 

 Cloez announce the discovery in it of a crystallized carbonate of 

 magnesia and iron ; the meteorite containing a little more than one- 

 half per cent, of carbonic acid. These are small facts but valuable, 

 since the presence of this crystallized carbonate proves that the 

 meteorite could never have been exposed to a very high temperature. 



Pkoceedings of the Eoyal Astronomical Society. 



Astronomers for many years past have suspected that there were 

 changes going forward on the lunar surface. Indeed, five years ago, 

 the Rev. T. W. Webb submitted to the Society a notice of traces of 

 eruptive action in the moon, in which he drew attention to the spots 

 Cichus and Messier, as furnishing probable evidence of the continuance 

 of explosive force during the present century. The reverend gentle- 

 man has now made another contribution to this interesting subject, 

 but owing to the imperfections in the great map of Beer and Madler, 

 the cases of suspected alteration now pointed out are by no means 

 conclusive that changes have taken place. It seems generally admitted 

 that no alteration of any considerable magnitude has taken place upon 

 the lunar surface since the date of anything which can be called 

 accurate observation ; it is only in the smallest class of craters there- 

 fore that we can reasonably look for traces of continued activity ; and 



