520 Chronicles of Science. [Oct., 



fortunate for his argument, that they have this year returned to their 

 original classification of the sciences. 



3. ASTRONOMY. 



{Including (he Proceedings of the Royal Astronomical Society.) 



The question whether any change has really taken place in the 

 lunar crater Linne still divides astronomers. Many distinguished 

 observers have expressed the opinion that Linne continues unaltered. 

 Mr. De la Eue considers that photographs of the moon taken before 

 and since the period of Schmidt's supposed discovery, exhibit no 

 such difference as to support the theory of change. The astronomers 

 of Harvard College, Cambridge (U.S.), can discover no evidence of 

 change with the magnificent retractor of then observatory. They 

 are not, however, it would seem, opposed to the theory that changes 

 may possibly take place upon the moon's surface, since they announce 

 the occurrence of phenomena in Aristarchus, apparently due to the 

 down-flow of lava-streams. Mr. Huggins also has given a view of 

 Linne and a paper on the subject of Schmidt's discovery, in which 

 he appears to oppose Schmidt's views. He states that Eespighi 

 considers the present appearance of the crater to be identical with 

 that which it has always exhibited ; but he adds that Lohrmann's 

 description in 1823, and Madler's in 1831, do not appear to be in 

 accordance with either Schroter's observations or with the present 

 condition of the object. 



It is noteworthy that nearly every observer who has made the 

 moon a subject of special study is convinced that a change has 

 taken place. And not only so, but many distinguished lunarians 

 are of opinion that the appearance of the spot is still changing. 

 The black spot first seen on Linne by Mr. Buckingham on Dec. 14 

 under morning illumination, next by Herr Schmidt on December 26 

 under evening illumination, and resolved into a crater by Secchi 

 on February 11, has now become so distinctly visible as to leave 

 little doubt that the orifice in Linne has become enlarged in the 

 interval. 



The question has now arrived at a very interesting stage, and 

 we trust that observation will be diligently pursued. 



In connection with this subject we may note that Mr. Birt has 

 just issued two lunar maps, in red outline, so that observers who find 

 any traces of change may mark in the alterations in black ink. 

 These maps are on the scale of 200 inches to the moon's diameter, 

 and comprise the space included between 0° and 6° West longitude, 

 and 0° and 10' South latitude. 



