101 
Comparing Dr. Schonfeld’s times of the last four maxima 
with my own, it will be seen that in every case his date 
is later than mine, the differences being 
Schonfeld — Baxendell. 
+ 3 days 
+ 5 days 
+ 8 days 
+ 6 days 
the mean difference being 5*5 days. At present I am unable 
to explain the cause of this difference, but hope that future 
observations specially directed to the point will clear up the 
mystery. 
The next maximum of It Persei will be due 1867, June 10. 
Mr. Baxendell read the following extract of a letter from 
George Knott, Esq., F.ft.A.S., dated Woodcroft Observatory, 
January 24th, 1867, and exhibited the Light-curve to which 
it refers :■ — 
“ I have much pleasure in sending a copy of my light- 
curve of It Vulpeculse fof* 1866. In forming the November 
maximum I have availed myself of a few observations 
kindly sent me by yourself. With the exception of a 
marked discordance at the end of the month our estimates 
agree very well, and show that the November maximum 
was an unusually bright one — brighter in fact than I have 
ever observed it before. But what I wish particularly to 
call your attention to, is the curious flattening of the ascend- 
ing curve. I have noticed traces of this peculiarity in 
several instances in the case of this star, aud cannot help 
regarding it as a real feature, though I should like to estab- 
lish this view by further observation before laying too much 
stress upon it. You will notice, too, the curious flattening 
of the curve at the September minimum, which was a bright 
one. 
