ON TUB KCiUATORIAL TELESCOPB. 
341 
is performed, the object will immediately appear in the field. 
When any unusual phenomenon, such as a comet or a new star, 
appears in the heavens, its true place may, by the machinery 
of this instrumeflt, be immediately found. Being furnished 
with a micrometer, it will serve for measuring the apparent 
diameters of the sun and moon, and the larger planets ; and 
for ascertaining the distance of any terrestrial object, whose 
dimensions are known. Being furnished with an erect eye- 
piece, it will serve as a day -telescope for viewing any object 
on sea or land, which lies within the range of the instrument. 
In fine, it will serve most, if not all the purposes of the largest 
cquatorials, except in those degrees of precision which are 
peculiar to instruments constructed on a large scale. 
In order to secure all these advantages, in the use of this p«rn-,anent 
instrument, with the least trouble, it will be proper to have 
‘ adjustment. 
it placed on a steady pedestal, of a proper elevation, at a .south 
window, where there is a pretty free horizon. The pedestal 
should have an Iron pin, of about half an inch long, in each 
foot, to sink into corresponding holes in the floor, to prevent 
the instrument, after having been adjusted to the meridian, 
from being shifted from its position. The circle of altitude, 
too, should generally be kept fixed at an elevation correspond- 
ing to the co-latitude of the place, to prevent the trouble of 
adjusting it at every celestial observation. The equatoriai being 
thus placed and adjusted, will form a pleasant and useful pri- 
vate observatory, and the observations will be made with taci- 
lity and dispatch. 
In conclusion, it may not be improper to remark, that .\dvantaees cf 
hints now given are intended merely to recommend the use of a cheap equa- 
a moderate- priced equatorial to those who make the study of ^^*^'**" 
astronomy a part of their amusement at leisure hours, and who 
aim at no more than a near approximation to the truth in the 
results of their observations, from a conviction, that this ex- 
cellent instrument Is not so much known as its general utility 
demands. The exquisite precision of modern astronomical 
observatioDi requires the use of the largest and nicest instru- 
ments 
