lvi 
REPORT- 1854. 
four comets have been discovered. Three of the new planets were found at 
Mr. Bishop’s Observatory, two by Mr. Hind, ami one by Mr. Maith. This 
last was also discovered the following night at the Oxford Observatory— 
another of the many instances presented by astronomy of independent dis¬ 
coveries made nearly simultaneously. The fourth planet was found at the 
Observatory of Bilk, near Diisseldorf, by Mr. It. Luther, an astronomer 
distinguished by having already discovered two planets. Of the comet*, 
one was discovered at Berlin, two at Gottingen, and the fourth was seen very 
generally with the naked eye at the end of last March. None of them have 
been identified with preceding comets. The large number of planets and 
comets discovered of late years, while it evinces the diligence of astronomer!, 
has, at the same time, brought additional labourers into the field of astrono¬ 
mical science, and contributed materially to its extension. The demand lor 
observations created by these discoveries has been met by renewed activity 
in existing observatories, and has led to the establishment, by public or 
private means, of new observatories. For instance, an observatory was 
founded in the course of last year by a private individual at Ohniit/., in 
Moravia, and is now actively at work oil this class of observations. Various 
such instances have occurred within a few years. In addition to the ad van- 
tages just stated, the observations called for by the discovery of new bodies 
of the Solar System, have drawn attention to the state of Stellar Astronomy, 
and been the means of improving this fundamental part of the science. Be 
following arc a few words on the existing state of Stellar Astronomy, so far 
as regards catalogues of stars. Subsequently to the formation of the older 
catalogues of bright stars, astronomers turned their attention to observations 
i n ln°nT , T 0r °m e T J 8 ° v f Blualler * turs > lo the ninth magnitude inclusive. 
tSorf’ Argelander, and Lament are the chief labourers in 
lotmerl observations. But these observations, unreduced and uncaki- 
SSttr^* On,p f r0Uvo,y °/ im vaIlle - The British Association did 
Lalande T r ,r S - t n° n0n I PrS 4 r «bming into catalogues the observations of 
fished at St P ;■ A CataIo « ue 0,1 of Bessel's Zones has been pub- 
Vienna LaiioI?’? 5 r Urg> T‘ a T talo S ue of P art of Argelander’s Zones at 
catalogue ^ bf ‘ n, ‘ ”<*"<** ! » pan by himself. The 
founded nninlv n/i ttrS ’t i PU ) 18 *i e< by tbc ® r4t “b Association in 1815, is 
magnitude inclusive ,e ,° ( rr f* rta *°8 Ue ®> but contains also stars to the seventh 
of Z at *Z Z °' ,,y by La,ant,CQr Tacuille. The place, 
but as the authorities fbTtL ^l’ co,,!ie <i n * l,t ly» not uniformly trustworthy; 
misled by this circumstance ‘,P lac ^ "re Indicated, the astronomer is not 
cipally used in the observn*** ,e a ^ ove a, c the catalogues which are prin¬ 
ces if obsermioJ 8,nali and of comets. 'This 
points of reference. Th* nf ra ^> f> 1 - made by means of stars as fixed 
the purpose of finding tin- mil-?! f j Cts 14 8tar from a catalogue, either for 
that of the star; but from »i,, ; ^ b ^)’. 0r for comparing its position with 
happens that no star is found L " | 'P ei '| ect, o , » of the catalogue, it sometimes 
unless the star's place has bee n Ho* P a< . :e "'^mated by it, and in most, cases, 
MonV-lt U Mt -ofiSS^u ~ '•/ replied meridian observe 
planet or comet. J„ catalogue* r/? fir , ia rc *erence of the position of the 
right ascension generally depends e UCe ^/ rom zone observations the star's 
and its declination on n linX , " ! * *"'$ e transit ac «>ss a single wire, 
have begun to feel the n* c °sLof"•"* ?' 5s b ™S ^e ease, ostLomers 
1 • y meridian observations I* °bta*ning afterwards accurate 
» e “Nervation. „f tIle ^ by ,h? s sbrimenl, that b, 
pmnets and of comets, materials are gradually 
