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LVII. ExiraSi of a Eetter to the Reverend 
Nevil Mafkelyne, AJlronomer Royal^ fro? 7 t 
Mr. Benedid Ferner, F. R. S, Dated 
Stockholm, June 9, 1769. l^ranfated ' 
from the French. 
S I R, 
Read Dec. 21, T AM more furprized that the times of 
X contadls of Venus and the Sun’s^ 
limbs, obferved here, by different obfervers, with 
different inftruments, agree /o near together, than I 
am at their difference ; for the nearnefs to the ho- 
rizon, and the extraordinary quantity of vapours 
with which the atmofphere was then loaded, not 
only caufed the limb of the Sun to tremble and un- 
dulate, but alfo gave it, if I may fo exprefs myfelf, 
the form of a large faw, the eminences being lu- 
minous and the cavities black, which fliifted places 
like the waves of a tempeftuous fea. 
There was no reafon for fixing the moment 
of the ingrefs of Venus fooner than flie had made 
a greater cavity in the limb of the Sun than the 
depth of the waves or black notches j and then 
one might be very fure of the fad : but certainly at 
that time fome feconds muff have been paffed 
from the beginning of the ingrefs. Therefore, I 
am 
