comparative Brightness of the Stars. 295 
If the star observed was not in the British catalogue, it was 
marked as such in the margin of the observations ; and being 
provided with another book of constellations and numbers, it 
was entered into the blank space belonging to some known 
preceding or following star, by which its place had been settled. 
The Greek and English letters used by Flamsteed, whether 
they were such as had been introduced before, or which he 
thought it expedient to add to them at the time of observation, 
were also entered into their proper places ; and to complete the 
whole, the magnitude affixed to the stars was likewise joined 
to the entry made in the blank spaces of the index. 
I have been so far particular in giving the method by which 
the index has been constructed, that it may appear what con- 
fidence ought to be given to the conclusions which will be 
drawn from its report. 
About three or four examples of its use, will completely 
shew how the results, which will be mentioned, have been 
obtained. 
Suppose I wish to be informed of the particulars relating to 
the 13th Arietis. Then by the index I am referred, in the co- 
lumn allotted for that star, to 77 observations ; and find that 
Flamsteed used the letter u 72 times, and that in two places 
he calls it a star of the 2d magnitude; the rest of the obser- 
vations being without any estimation of its brightness. 
If it be required to know F lamsteed's observations upon the 
34th Tauri, which star is supposed to have been the Georgian 
planet, mistaken by Flamsteed for a small fixed star; * we 
find in our index, that on page 86, December 13, 1690, a 
star of the 6th magnitude was observed, which answers to the 
* See Astronomishes Jahr-Bucb for 1789, page 202. 
