522 Chronicles of Science. [Oct., 



Mr. Huggins has been able to analyze the light of another comet 

 with the spectroscope. On May 4th and Sth he made observations 

 of Comet II, 1867. In the telescope the comet appeared to con- 

 sist of a slightly oval coma, surrounding a minute and not very 

 bright nucleus. The latter was not central, but nearer to the 

 following edge of the coma. The light of the coma formed a con- 

 tinuous spectrum. Mr. Huggins was unable, on account of the 

 faintness of the nucleus, to distinguish with certainty the spectrum 

 of its light from the broad spectrum of the coma on which it 

 appeared projected. Once or twice he suspected the presence of 

 two or three bright lines, but of this observation he was not certain. 

 He considers that this small comet is probably similar in physical 

 structure to Comet I, 1866. 



Mr. Peters, of Hamilton College Observatory, Clinton (U.S.), 

 has discovered another small planet, the sixth of his dis'/ overies, the 

 92nd asteroid, and the 100th primary member of the solar system. 



It has been discovered by Mr. Buckingham that the brilliant 

 Yega, long known as a wide optical double, has two minute com- 

 panions. Whether we are to look on Yega as a true triple star 

 remains as yet undetermined. 



Proceedings of the Astronomical Society. 



Mr. Any discusses the curious but annoying tendency which is 

 occasionally seen in the telescopic discs of stars to become triangular, 

 when the wind is in the east or south-east. Mr Dawes's observa- 

 tions suffice to show that the peculiarity does not depend on the 

 object-glass of the telescope. Mr. Any is disposed to refer the 

 phenomenon to the derangement of the nervous system which 

 usually accompanies an east wind. In a remarkable instance men- 

 tioned by Mr. Dawes, east wind and fatigue were combined. Mr. 

 Dawes himself, however, considers the phenomenon to be certainly 

 independent of the observer ; a view coincided in by Captain Xoble, 

 who rejoices in the digestion of an ostrich, but yet has been troubled 

 by " triangular nights." 



Another subject, touched on by the Astronomer Royal, is dealt 

 with more at length by Captain Noble. "We refer to the alleged 

 change of focus required in observing stars widely separated in 

 altitude. Captain Noble's observations appear to show that in the 

 very finest observing weather no change of focus is required. But 

 when, as is usual, there is an appreciable amount of vapour near 

 the horizon, it becomes necessary to shorten the focus of a telescope 

 directed to low objects. 



Mr. C. Piazzi Smyth, Astronomer Pioyal for Scotland, supplies 

 an abstract of a paper on the earliest provable traces of good 



