PROGRESS IN ASTRONOMICAL PHOTOMETRY. 
153 
2. Original Observations of Variable Stars had been pub¬ 
lished by Argelander, Schonfeld, Oudemans, Plassmann, and 
others. Recently we have received two valuable English 
publications, one by C. E. Peek, under the title “Variable 
Star Notes, Rousden Observatory, Nos. 1-6,” and the other by 
Professor Turner, giving the observations of the late G. Knott.* 
Peek’s observations commence in 1887 and are being con¬ 
tinued. Those of Knott extend over a space of 34 years and 
comprise 23 variable stars. Both catalogues give the esti¬ 
mates in magnitudes instead of steps, the former only the re¬ 
duced results, the latter the original estimates. Peek gives 
diagrams for the resulting light curves, while Knott’s own 
working charts form a welcome addition to his volume. 
Yet more recently two publications of the Harvard Col¬ 
lege Observatory made their appearance. In one volume 
there are reductions of older observations (of Argelander^ 
Schonfeld, Winnecke, etc.) to the Harvard photometric scale, 
with many tables for discussion. 
Volume 37, part I, contains the original observations of 17 
long period circumpolar variables, extending over the last 
ten years. The observations comprise the minima as well 
as the maxima, and are made by Argelander’s method of 
steps, but reduced to magnitudes from the start, so that all 
computations are made with absolute magnitudes. The 
volume gives 13 tables for discussion and 14 plotted light 
curves. 
Another important publication is the bibliography of vari¬ 
able stars by Mr. W. M. Reed, which will form a later 
volume of the same Annals, and of which we have a few 
extracts in the volume before mentioned. 
Finally, we are glad to learn that a new Catalogue of 
Variable Stars is now being prepared by the “Astronomische 
Gesellscliaft.” We may remember that there were two such 
catalogues by Schonfeld, and three by Chandler, all behind 
time. We have now the guarantee that the catalogue will 
be kept up to date by new editions. 
*Mem. R. A. Soc., vol. 52, 1899. 
