SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY 
ASTRONOMY. 
rj^RANSI T of Venus . — The great event of the last quarter was, of course, 
the transit of Venus on December 9 — the most important astronomical 
event (in conjunction with the companion transit Gf December G, 1882) of 
the present century. As we write news has been received from the greater 
number of the Northern stations and from a few Southern stations, and we 
may say in biief thi.t Halleyan success is assured. But we shall not be aware 
of the full extent of the success attained by astronomers until we hear from the 
principal Southern stations, and especially from Kerguelen Land, where no 
less than four of the most important observing parties are crowded together. 
Before entering on a sketch of the results reported from various stations, we 
may remark that the Americans, who sailed in the Sivatarci , were unable to 
effect a landing at Crozet Island. Rough weather prevailed when they 
reached that island, the first station on their route, and after waiting some 
time, they were compelled to proceed, in order that the other observing 
parties might not be unduly delayed. The party intended for the Crozets 
therefore proceeded with the others, and eventually (it is reported) took up 
a post at Campbell Town (not Campbell Island, as at first stated), in Tasma- 
nia. It is now stated that the Astronomer-Royal urged the Americans to 
attempt a landing at Crozet Island, the very place which he rejected in 
November 1873, as inaccessible, ridiculing the idea of its being occupied. 
Credit is claimed for him on this score by his chief assistant at Greenwich ; 
but as the Americans had but one chance of landing there, while England 
had much more convenient opportunities, and yet has two parties close 
by at Kerguelen Land, and none at the Crozets, we fail to see precisely 
how the claim for credit is made out. The value of the station, when 
first pointed out, was bluntty denied by the Astronomer-Royal. We may 
also mention that the French, after meeting with many difficulties, have 
effected a landing at Campbell Island and St. Paul’s Island — these being 
two of that series of u inaccessible rocks, mere geographical myths,” which 
excited the ridicule of the Admiralty authorities last year. 
The news may be thus summarised : — 
From the North-eastern Delislean region for observing accelerated egress 
we have as yet received no news. But as the Halleyan stations around the 
Japanese Sea have a second-rate value for this phase, we are assured that it 
has been efficiently observed, as will presently appear when we consider the 
