ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. XV. 



order than is usual. The Ascensions of Stars so close to the pole 

 became at length impossible of accurate measurement. The 

 observatories named resorted, in consequence, to the method of 

 rectangular co-ordinates, x and y, with the origin as the pole. 

 Thus, where the ordinary method hopelessly breaks down, the 

 places of the stars can yet be quite accurately fixed. 



The effect of the precession of the Equinoxes is very strikingly 

 shown on the map, which indicates the place of the pole in 1850 

 and in 1950, an interval of a hundred years. It will be seen how 

 great a change of apparent movement among the stars must result 

 from this perpetually changing centre. 



The seven stars nearest to the pole, it was suggested as an aid 

 to the memory, might be designated "the Septentriones." The 

 word, so familiar to us in Caesar's Commentaries is not necessarily 

 hyperborean. The "seven plough-oxen" may without challenge 

 be transferred to Antarctica. 



It may be mentioned that the two catalogues, of which the 

 local branch of the British Astronomical Association thus furnishes 

 a map, are the result of a research which has a very important 

 bearing on the interpretation of stellar photography — an exceed- 

 ingly minute and difficult branch of present-day astronomical 

 work — the inter-adjustment of overlapping plates being a study 

 of the first importance in fixing with precision the places of the 

 stars. 



The map, it is hoped, may be an aid to accurate terrestrial survey. 

 The number of stars thus for the first time rendered available 

 cannot fail to be of service. The fixing exactly the place of the 

 pole has not seldom been a matter of some perplexity. 



2. Mr. A. J. Sach, f.c.s., exhibited some interesting 

 samples of rubber from Malaysia, forwarded by Mr. Colin 

 P. Thane. 



3. Mr. E. 0. Andrews exhibited a fine specimen of 

 molybdenite in quartz, from the Kitchener Lode, Khartoum, 

 North Queensland. 



