' Pofitions and Magnitudes of the Fixed Stars, &c. — 18'3 
may be croffed in other dire@tions; but I apprehend thefe will be 
found fufficient. ‘This telefcope I mount on a polar axis. One 
coarfely made, and without any divifions on its circle of. decli- 
nation, will anfwer this purpofe, fince there is no great occa- 
fion for accuracy in that refpect: but as the heavenly bodies are 
more readily followed by an equatorial motion of the telefcope, 
fo their relative pofitions are much more eafily difcerned when 
they are looked at conftantly as in the fame direction. An ho- 
rizontal motion, except in the meridian, would be apt to miflead 
the judgement. It is fearcely neceflary to add, that the wires 
muft ftand fo as for one to defcribe a parallel of the equator 
nearly. Another will then be a horary circle; and the whole 
area will be divided into eight equal fefors. 
Thus prepared, the telefcope is to be pointed to.a known ftar, 
which is to be brought into the centre or common interfeétion. 
of all the wires. The relative pofitions of fuch other ftars. 
as appear within the field, are to be judged-of by the eye: 
whether at 4, or 2, or } from the centre towards the cir- 
cumference, or vice verfé; and fo with regard to the neareft 
wire refpectively. Thefe, as one fees them, are to be noted. 
down with a black-lead pencil upon a large meflage card held 
in the hand, upon which a circle, fimilarly divided, is ready 
drawn. (One of three inches diameter feems moft convenient.) 
The motion of the heavenly bodies in fuch a telefcope is fo 
flow, and the noting down of the ftars fo quickly done,. thdt- 
there is moft commonly full time for it without moving the 
telefcope. When that is wanted, the principal ftar is eafily 
brought back again into the centre of the field at pleafure,. 
and the work refumed. After a little practice, it is-aftonifhing 
how near one can come to the truth in this way: and, though 
neither the right afcenfions nor the declinations are laid down 
by 
