the changeable Stars . 193 
rial obje&ion, fince perhaps, as with moft of the variables, it 
may at different periods have different degrees of luftre, fo as 
fometimes to increafe only to the ninth magnitude ; and if this 
be the cafe, its period is probably much fhorter. This induced 
me, in September 1782, to take a plan of the fmalleft ftars 
near its place, and which I have examined often fince, but 
found no alteration. 
* 0 CetL 
Since the end of 1782 I have obferved very exadlly the de- 
creafe of brightnefs of this ftar ; but never have feen it of 
above the 6th magnitude. Oft. 29, 1782, it was of the 7th 
magnitude, and gradually decreafed till Dec. 30, it being then 
of the 8 . 9th magnitude. 
1783, Feb. 16, certainly lefs than the 9th magnitude. 
1783, Auguft 25, of the 6th magnitude, and gradually de- 
creafed until Dec. 14, being then of the 10th magnitude, and 
equal to the little ftar clofe to it. 
1784, Jan. n,I thought it by intervals ftill lefs than the 
fame little ftar. 
1784, Sept. 12, it was of the 7 . 8th magnitude, and gra- 
dually decreafed until Dec. 9, and then was of the 9th mag- 
nitude, and rather brighter than the little ftar. 
As a matter of curiofity, I have deduced its period from the 
times when it was equal to a certain ftar in the courfe of its 
decreafe; the- refults were 320— 337 and 328 days; but M. 
Cassini determined its mean period with greater exaftnefs to 
be 334 days. Mr. Goodricke faw it Aug. 9, 1782, of the 
2d magnitude, rather brighter than ^ and lefs than /3 Ceti. 
Sept 5, it was of the 3d magnitude, being equal to y Ceti. 
Vol. LXXVI. C c Algol* 
