t *44 ] 
X. An Anfwer to the Objections Jlated by M. De la Lande, ui 
the Memoirs oj the French Academy for the Tear 1776, 
agahifl the Solar Spots being Excavations in the luminous Mat- 
ter of the Sun , together with a fort Examination of the 
Views entertained by him upon that SubjeCl. By Alexander 
VVilfon, M. D. Profejfor of P radical Aftronomy in the Uni- 
vet jity of Glafgow ; communicated by Nevil Mafkelyne, D.D . 
F. R. S. and Afronomer RoyaL 
Read January 16, 1 783. 
TO THE REV. DR. MASKED Y N E. 
DEAR SIR, 
Glafgow Coileg 
April 20, 1782. 
H AVING lately feenapaperon the Solar Spots by M. 
de la lande, in the French Memoires for 1776, pub- 
lifhed in 1779, 1 found fuch mention made of mine upon that 
fubjedt, as appears to me to require an anfwer; not only in 
juftice to mylelf, but to that honourable Society who admitted 
an account of my difeovery into their Tranfadtions, and 
to philofophy in general, whofe caufe it becomes a duty upon 
her followers to vindicate from fuch errors as feem likely to 
The univerfal circulation of the volumes of the French Aca- 
demy makes me the more folicitous to be heard in anfwer ; and 
to have that anfwer conveyed to the public through the channel 
of 
i 
