in the relative Situation of double Stars. 365 
was 37 0 38'. This may stand either for south-preceding or 
north-following, because the stars were then regarded as being 
equal. March 4, 1802, a measure of the position gave 50° 32'. 
Feb. 5, 1804, position 49 0 o' south-preceding; and, Feb. 6 , 
1804, 50° 4'. A memorandum annexed to the observation says, 
that the preceding star is the smallest, but that the difference is 
so little as to require much attention to be perceived. The 
alteration, in 22 years and 135 days, is 12 0 26'. The two stars 
being nearly of an equal magnitude, we can have no inducement 
to suppose them to be at very different distances from us. This 
makes it not probable that the difference of their parallactic 
motion should be the cause of the angle of position ; otherwise, 
the direction of that motion would be sufficiently favourable. 
£ Geminorum. II, 27. 
The measures of the position of the two stars of this double 
star are attended with great difficulty, on account of the faintness 
of the smallest; a considerable disagreement will therefore be 
excuseable. The position, Nov. 18, 1781, was 85° 51' south- 
preceding. Jan. 28, 1802, it was 76°2i'. Feb. 4,1802, 73 0 5'; and, 
Feb. 6 , 1804, 6 g° 52'. The difference, in 22 years and 80 days, 
is 15 0 59'. We can have no assistance from observations made 
on the distance of the two stars, which is too great for estimation. 
A parallactic motion, which, on account of the great difference 
in the magnitude of the stars, might be admitted, would lessen 
their distance, and make the angle of position retrograde, which, 
by my observation, has moved in a contrary direction. A con- 
nection between the two stars is also rendered improbable, on 
account of the great number of small ones that are scattered 
in this neighbourhood, of which our small star may be one ; 
