253 
PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SECTION. 
April 26th, 1860. 
Mr. Baxendell, F.R.A.S., read a Paper, entitled “ Ob- 
servations of the Oblique Belt on Jupiter.” 
Since the publication of the lithographed sketches of 
Jupiter, taken by Mr. Long and myself on February 29, 
March 2, and March 5, showing the position and appearance 
of a curious oblique streak or belt on the disc of the planet, 
this streak or belt has increased greatly in size and darkness, 
and has become an object of considerable interest, as showing 
very strikingly the extent and rapidity of the changes which 
sometimes take place on the surface, or in the atmosphere, of 
this magnificent planet. 
On March 7, the spot at the lower end of the oblique belt 
was perceptibly larger and darker than on the 5th, and was 
in the middle of its transit across the disc at 8h. 54m., Green- 
wich mean time. March 12, this spot was central at 8h. Im.; 
the belt itself was darker and less inclined than before to the 
ordinary belts, and it was darkest on its lower edge. The 
lower part of the large dark belt was more nearly uniform in 
shade, and there was no decided appearance of dark spots 
in it. ‘ 
March 14, 8h. 45m. I observed Jupiter with Mr. 
Worthington’s 13-inch reflector, power 301. There was a 
faint, curved, dark mark extending across the bright equa- 
torial belt from the upper end of the oblique belt to the small 
spot shown in the preceding part of the large dark belt in my 
sketch of March 5, and which, though now invisible with 
the 5-inch achromatic, is clearly made out with the large 
reflector. There w"^ere also traces of projections on the bright 
Proceedings — Lit. & Phil. Society — No. 15. — Session, 1859-60. 
