OF THE STARS : IX ITS HISTOEICAL AXD BIBLICAL CONXECTIOXS. 2o9 



ordinary cycle that Cassini, the astronomer, brought to perfection, 

 and proved it to be the most perfect of the astionomical cycles that 

 had then been found. 



After some further observations by members : — 



The Chairman said, — I am sorry the Lecturer has not been able 

 to get to a nimiber of interesting points further on. I think there 

 was enough material for another lecture. I am sure you will all 

 wish me to communicate your thanks to the Lecturer. 



Mr. Grimaldi. — I have to thank you ; for, whatever the imper- 

 fections of the lecture, I do not think any lecturer could have 

 obtained a more attentive or patient audience. I am glad that I 

 guarded myself at the commencement, in reference to astronomy, by 

 saying that I am not a student of astronomy. The astronomical 

 information given to us is, of course, of very great interest, and in 

 fact of distinct importance. My idea in reference to Cassini is, ai: 

 the time, the six hundred years cycle was the most perfect then 

 discovered — since then further progress has been made, and very 

 perfect cycles obtained and discovered. In reference to other 

 points, I meant to bring forward some more, and amongst them, 

 that point as to the commencement of the Zodiac which has been 

 very properly referred to — the conjimction of Leo and Virgo. I 

 also had an Egyptian slide to show to the audience on this 

 conjunction. 



The Meeting closed with the usual votes of thanks. 



COMMrNICATIOX. 

 Remarks by Lieut. -Colonel Mackinlay : — 



It is dilficult to make remarks on the syllabus of a paper ; 

 however, I venture to send the follo\Wng : — 



The fact that a year contains twelve lunar months and some 

 eleven days naturally suggested the idea of devising some means 

 of dividing the years into twelve equal parts ; hence the acceptance 

 of the Zodiacal plan by so many nations. 



The effect of the precession of the ec[uinoxes is to cause the sun 

 to be in different signs of the Zodiac at the vernal equinox, after 



