T l6 7 ] 
the meridian ; thofe taken with micrometers perhaps 
not excepted : for however accurately fmall diflances 
can be meafured by the micrometer of Mr. Dollond, 
yet, as thefe meafures can hardly be reduced to the 
ecliptic, without having the difference of declination 
or right afcenfion from other means (except two ftars 
making fomewhat near a right angle with the planet 
fhould appear within the field of view at once) and as 
in all thefe cafes the rectification of the places of the 
flars themfelves ultimately depends on meridian ob- 
fervations we may. perhaps be allowed to fay, that 
in the moft favourable cafes of the micrometer, the 
determinations thence to be drawn, are not fuperior to 
meridian obfervations, and in lefs favourable cafes, 
mufl be inferior : however, as the micrometer obfer- 
vations out of the meridian give an opportunity of repe- 
tition as often as we pleafe ; and the obfervations for 
rectification of the ftars concerned, can be repealed 
in the meridian, as often as we pleafe alfo ; it muff be 
equally allowed, that when thefe kind of obfervations 
are taken, not too near the horizon, when proper 
ftars offer for this purpofe, and the whole fkilfully 
managed ; thefe kind of obfervations fall but little 
fhort of thofe taken immediately in the meridian. 
I cannot therefore hefitate to recommend, that the 
quartile obfervations be taken out of the meridian, as 
well as in it : in the firft place, by Dollond’s micro- 
meter, if ftars offer in proper pofitions ; and if n®t, 
fecondly, by taking differences of right afcenfion and 
declination between the planet and the ftars, by the 
common micrometer, in cafe proper ftars offer them- 
felves for this pupofe: but as it frequently happens, 
that no proper ftars offer themfelves to micrometers 
