[ 93 ] 
XIV. An Inquiry into the Quantity and Di- 
" reBion of the proper Motion of Ardurus ; 
with fome Remarks on the Diminution of 
the Obliquity of the Ecliptic : By T ho- 
mas Horniby, M. A. Savilian Profeffor of 
Aflronomy in the Univerfity of Oxford, 
and F. R. $. 
Read Dec. 24, 4 S an accurate knowledge of the 
/Y pojition of the fixed fiars is of the 
greatest importance, being the bans and foundation 
of aflronomy, it is no wonder that the aftronomers 
of different nations have given great attention to this 
matter. By comparing antient with the beft modern 
obfervations. it appears that fome of the fixed fiars 
have a proper motion , independent of any motion 
hitherto known in our own fyflem ; or that, in other 
words, the angular difiances of the fixed fiars have 
not always continued the fame , and in fome of them 
the alteration is fo very confiderable as to be eafily 
perceived in the courfe of a few years , with inflru- 
ments accurately made, and nicely adjufled. Of all 
the fiars vifible in our hemifphere, the variation in 
the place of Arid ur us is the mojl remarkable , and 
fuch as cannot poflibly be attributed to the uncertain- - 
ty of obfervation. It has accordingly been taken no- 
£ tice 
