SCIENTIFIC SUMMAEY. 
421 
published by Mr. Hind as to leave no doubt that M. Puiseux has fallen 
into some error in the course of his calculations. Mr. Hind’s elements for 
external and internal contact at ingress differ only 14 s. and 27 s. respectively 
from Mr. Plummer’s values ; while the elements for external and internal 
contact at egress differ onl}^ 3 s. and 1 s. respectively. As Mr. Plind remarks, 
these differences for such a phenomenon are insignificant ; the possible 
errors of any predictions of the times of contact must be very much 
larger.” The result is fortunate for those astronomers who had taken 
Mr. Hind’s elements as the foundation for inquiries into the circumstances 
of the approaching transits; though very little doubt was felt that 
the difference between Mr. Hind and M. Puiseux would be settled as it 
has been. 
Maps of the Transit of Venus in 1874. — Mr. Proctor’s maps of the transit 
are published in the recently issued number of the monthly notices. He 
claims for them that they indicate in a trustworthy manner all the circum- 
stances of the coming transit. They were constructed,” he remarks, 
with every precaution to insure accuracy. The intersection of longitude- 
lines and latitude parallels to every 10° were separately constructed for by 
a double process, and in all critical cases further tests were applied. In all, 
the construction of the maps involved upwards of 3,000 measurements.” 
Mr. Proctor may congratulate himself that he had selected Mr. Hind’s ele- 
ments of the transit on which to base his constructions in preference to M. 
Puiseux’s ; for had he selected the latter the greater part of his work would 
have been thrown away, so far as that rigid accuracy at which he aimed 
was in question. 
Browning’s Star Spectroscope . — Mr. Browning has devised a very simple, 
efficient, and economical spectroscope for astronomical work. It is better 
adapted for use with telescopes of moderate aperture than any other con- 
trivance hitherto proposed. It will enable the observer to compare the lines 
in the stellar spectra with the spectra of gases and metals. One of the principal 
features of the spectroscope is its extraordinary lightness. It weighs only 
about seven ounces, or less by far than an ordinary micrometer, so that the 
balance of a telescope will scarcely be at all affected by the addition of the 
spectroscope. 
I'he November Meteors. — There is considerable doubt as to the nature of 
the display of November shooting-stars to be looked for this year. Last 
year, contrary to the expectation of astronomers, the shower was well seen 
in England. It was seen also in the United States and at Cape .Town. 
Therefore, it is perfectly clear that the portion of the meteoric system passed 
through by the earth last year was very much wider than the parts tra- 
versed in 1866 and 1867. It seems likely that the part traversed this year 
will be even wider, and therefore if the weather is fine we can scarcely fail 
to have a shower. Whether, however, the shower will be a very brilliant 
one is much more open to question. The probability is that it will not be, 
as all former experience points to the conclusion that the real maximum of 
condensation was passed by the earth in 1866. However, it is certain that 
there is great irregularity in the structure of the meteor-system, aud there- 
fore it is not at all impossible that during the morning of November 14 
next there may occur at intervals several well-marked showers, each lasting 
