197 
It is proposed to construct lighthouses, in all cases where 
it is important that mariners should estimate their distance, 
as double lights. The lower light should be exposed in 
the same tower at a given distance, say fifty feet, and by 
measuring the apparent distance of the lights apart, either 
approximately with the eye or accurately with a sextant, the 
distance can be at once determined. 
If Mr. Herbert’s proposition for mooring a series of floating- 
lights alone: the English and other Channels should be 
adopted, it is proposed to unite them with each other and 
with the shore by means of a submerged cable and electric 
telegraph, so that important information either respecting 
the lighthouses or vessels in distress can be communicated to 
head quarters without delay. 
[Models of the ordinary form and proposed new form of 
lightships were exhibited, and on the surface of the water 
being agitated the motion of the former was considerable, 
while that of the latter was very slight.] 
PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SECTION. 
January 5th, 1860. 
A Paper was read by Mr. Baxendell, F.R.A.S., entitled 
“ On a New Variable Star (R Sagittse).” 
In the course of a review of some of the telescopic stars in 
the constellation Sagitta which I made on the night of the 
3rd of October last with the achromatic equatorial of Mr. 
Worthington’s observatory, I found that one of the stars was 
decidedly brighter than I hatl observed it to be when making 
a similar review on the 19th of August. I therefore at once 
placed it on my list of objects for continuous observation, and 
from the comparisons which I have since made with neigh- 
bouring stars on twenty-five different nights, I have ascer- 
