250 



by glimpses, but it was immersed among strong rays. The powers used 

 were 90 and 250. 



2. Sirius. — This brilliant star was still more discoloured than Rigel 

 on either edge of the field of view, and had a continuous production 

 of rays, which in the centre surrounded the star, but at the sides pre- 

 ceded and followed it, like the wings seen where a flint-glass is not 

 homogeneous, but fainter. These irradiations, as well as the dispersed 

 light, were considerably cut off by diminishing the aperture of the 

 outer lens. The powers used were 90 and 150 ; and I tried with 400 

 to raise a disc, but it was altogether too much for the object. 



3. a Ononis. — Saw the whole of the 10 stars of this group, but with 

 great difficulty, and, if the term maybe used, under a dim definition. 

 Indeed, had I not practically known the object. I am doubtful whether 

 I could have made out the middle stars. It should, however, be also 

 stated, that it was nearly three hours to the west of the meridian. 



4. The great Nebula in Orion. — I placed the whole aperture upon 

 this object ; and though the moon was nearly at full, I easily made 

 out its outline, as well as that of its companion. But the trapezium 

 of stars, under high powers, was more distinct with an aperture of 

 6 inches than when the whole was applied. I could make out only 

 four stars in this spot ; it will be recollected, however, it was now three 

 hours past the meridian, for the time of its transit will not allow of 

 earlier experiment. This 1 regret, because so fine a constellation, 

 from its composition and place, offers in itself a thesaurus of astrono- 

 mical tests. 



5. y Leonis. — This beautiful double star was remarkably well seen, 

 being nearly on the meridian. There was, however, much false light, 

 but it did not hinder the colours being seen : the large star was 

 slightly red, and the small one a Saxon green. The powers used 

 were 90, 150, and 250. 



6. (o- Leonis. — This was a test which, in the deficient arrangement 

 of the apparatus, I could not manage ; but notwithstanding there was 

 much dispersed light, I should pronounce that with power 400 I saw 

 the star elongated, and different from the other two omegas. 



7. The Prcesepe. — An examination of this cluster was very favour- 

 able to the defining power of the telescope, and its general distribu- 

 tion of light. I tried it under the eyepieces 90, 150, and 250. 



8. 4 Cancri. — With some difficulty i made out this object to be triple, 

 under a power of 250 : that of 400 broke the rings of the spurious 

 discs with disagreeable rays, so as to confuse the whole vision. 



9. Saturn. — The planet was about two hours and a half to the east 

 of the meridian when I placed the telescope upon it. It was tolerably 

 defined, but with muddy edges, though it bore magnifying pretty fairly. 

 I saw two satellites steadily, and a third by glimpses ; and This was 

 all I could do with my own telescope at the time of transit. The ring 

 resembled a thin silvery bar lying equatorialiy across the planetary 

 disc, and was sharper than the body of Saturn. 



Wednesday , March 20, 1833. — I had now intended to w^ait for the 

 first quarter of the new moon ; but the night proved so fine and dark, 

 that I re-examined some of the former tests, and observed some new 



