Some New Double Stars and Southern Binaries. 
By H. C. Russe, B.A., F.R.A.S., Government Astronomer. 
[Read before the Royal Society of N.S.W., 2 June, 1880.] 
It is known to some of the members present this evening that I 
have for some time past devoted'a A considerable portion of my time 
to the examination of the doub din Sir John reat 
Cape Observations. While a oing this work I have frequent 
peas double stars that he had overlooked ; and I have ooeusiens: 
The number thus recorded has gradually increased until now it 
stands at 252. Of this list many are close doubles, probably too 
ohn He 
difficult for the optical means which Sir J rschel had at his 
command, and which — ras his search. 
Excepting i in the case of tw vee I have not acer rg the 
of the members. In preparing the list I have been guided by the 
requirements of those who have telescopes of moderate power, so 
that some of the doubles are easy, and others very serena in mage 
such as may be used as tests for instruments of higher pow I 
In a study of this kind the greutenk'e care is necessary to 
eel being misled by errors of observation or of accident. I could 
refer to a published list of southern double stars in which several 
set down as binaries, or probably in motion, the change in 
which is not real, but due to the causes mentioned. One curious 
ce in my own experience may illustrate this. On the 6th - 
October, 1834, Sir John Herschel found a pretty double star, 
which is entered in his list as No. 3,416. The magnitudes were 
