WATSON of Ann Arbor and Dr. PETERS of Clinton, N. Y. They have extended and minute maps of all the small stars in certain portions of the heavens, and by a nightly examination of these maps they are at once able to say whether any new star has appeared in that region; and they have only to determine whether that new star is a new planet or merely a small star overlooked in their previous survey. The making of these extended maps is evidently the important thing in the search for asteroids, and it does not seem desirable that the new observatory should undertake the work of making over again the excellent maps of Dr. PETERS and Prof. WATSON (which maps, however, are at present kept secret by these two astronomers, but which one day will be published), or of looking for more new planets, the discovery of which in a scientific point of view does not seem to be very important (as 140 of these bodies are now known).

Besides the meridian work of an observatory and the work of the equatorials (which will be considered later), there are many problems of a physical nature which may be legitimately taken up. Among these none is more important, perhaps, than a regular photographic record of the spots which constantly appear on the sun's disc; the number of these spots varies from day to day, and the whole amount of "spotted area" varies in extent during a period of about eleven years, i. e., a maximum spot area occurs about every eleven years. This period has been shown to have a definite relation to terrestrial magnetism (it is supposed likewise to be connected with temperature, rainfall and other terrestrial phenomena). A series of daily photographs of the sun, continued during the whole period of eleven to twelve years, would be of the greatest value, and this is a research which it is a duty of the new observatory to undertake; at Kazan in Russia, Greenwich in England, Toulouse in France, and at the new Sun Observatory to be established by the Russian Government, these observations will be made continuously. Professor LANGLEY of the Alleghany Observatory at Pittsburg also will probably commence a series of his own. At Harvard College Observatory this work is likewise done, although the continuity of the series is not complete. It is important that as many of these observations as possible should be made.

The instruments required for this purpose are inexpensive, comprising a photoheliograph, a large heliostat (not necessary for the sun photographs but necessary for photographs of star

clusters) together with a complete photographic laboratory. One assistant would be required, who would have to be not only an expert photographer but a man of high intelligence and of education. Besides a daily photograph of the sun, it would be the duty of the photographic assistant to make a series of photographs of star clusters which would have to be carefully measured to determine the relative position of the individual stars. These being once recorded, photographs taken at some future period will decide the question whether there has been any change in the configuration of this particular star group.

Experiments should be made to see if it is not possible to get good photographs of the brighter planets, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mars. The photographing of the spectra of stars also will be a research which must be attempted.

The photographic assistant could likewise attend to the selfregistering meteorological instruments which it will be necessary to have.

The equipment of the observatory in extra-meriodional instruments should be large. Beside the great equatorial, it may be well to have a smaller one, large enough to be of good light gathering power, and small enough for convenient and rapid handling say of from 12 to 15 inches aperture.

A comet seeker of about 5 to 6 inches aperture will be necessary for various minor works, such as the observation of eclipses of Jupiter's satellites, occultations, etc., for photometrical researches with the photometers of ZOELLNER or SEIDEL.

It is upon the work of the equatorial instruments that the force of the new observatory should be concentrated. The 12-inch or 15-inch equatorial should be exquisitely mounted, no possible pains being spared, and it should be one of the works to be soon taken up to determine, with this instrument, the parallax of some favorably situated stars. This instrument, and occasionally the large one, might well be devoted in the hands of Mr. BURNHAM, in case he should be appointed, to the steady observation of double stars, a department in which Mr. BURNHAM has already made so honorable a name. The large equatorial should, for the first years of its existence, be devoted to the observation of the outer planets and of their satellites, to stellar spectroscopy (the field of solar spectroscopy is already thoroughly worked) and to the spectroscopy and physical observation and drawing of nebulae. All ingenuity should be exhausted in the attempt to photograph a

nebula with the object of detecting change in one if it exists, and failing in that, it should be attempted to draw the nebulae by means of a modification of the Camera Lucida. The spectra of stars it is highly desirable to photograph and some success has already been achieved in this way by Dr. HENRY DRAPER. The great telescope might well be employed in this research.

It has been the desire, so far, to indicate to the Lick trustees in a very general and rough way the objects to which the new observatory should devote itself in the future in order for it to be most useful in "promoting science." The general principle of the selection of subjects for research being that it should devote itself peculiarly to those problems which are most unlikely to be studied by other observatories, and for which either its geographical or climatic situation, its instrumental means or endowment, render it most fit. In this connection it is well to remember that the situation of the observatory is likely to be in a country where volcanic, i. c., earthquake phenomena often show themselves, and this makes it the duty of the new observatory to provide itself with self-recording instruments for indicating such phenomena. Similarly the experience gained by several years residence at the observatory will indicate the direction in which to extend its physical researches. Above all things, however, the object of concentration should be kept in view.

A certain line of action and a plan should be decided on, but these should be flexible, so that an extension may be easy and natural; but that work should be undertaken which can be done completely; and no more instruments should be purchased at first than can be kept busy. It must be remembered that the possession of the instruments implies obligation to make them useful, and again that they require great attention; so that a too complete instrumental equipment may become a burden and not a help.

II. Of the Government of the Observatory and its Officers.

The funds are by deed of Mr. LICK, put in charge of the Board of Trustees, and the financial concerns of the observatory are necessarily referred to them. All expenditures are of course controlled by them, but many expenditures may well be made by the Director, he being directly accountable to the Board of Trustees.

It is advisable in an undertaking of so much magnitude that any important scientific measures should be undertaken only after

due consideration and counsel, and it is respectfully proposed that the Trustees appoint a Scientific Council for the Observatory to be composed of four persons, all of whom should be connected with astronomical science in some honorable manner and most of whom should be men who have achieved for themselves scientific fame. It is suggested that the Board of Trustees could not select for this purpose four men more valuable to the interest of the Lick Observatory and more eminent as sponsors for a new scientific institution than the four gentlemen hereafter named.

1. Prof. JOSEPH HENRY, Secretary Smithsonian Institution.
2. Prof. J. H. C. COFFIN, U. S. Navy, Superintendent American
Ephemeric and Nautical Almanac.

3. Prof. S. NEWCOMB, U. S. Navy.

4. Prof. HENRY DRAPER, University of New York.

The Director of the Observatory should be ex officio a member of this council, and he should consult with them in relation to the general management and work of the observatory proper. But the action of the council should be always subordinated to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the functions of the council being merely advisory. Vacancies in the council should be filled by appointment of the Board of Trustees.

Visits at suitable intervals should be made by the Scientific Council, or by some of its members, to the observatory; and a report of the activity of the Institution should be made to the Board of Trustees by the visiting members.

this.

III. The Selection of the Site.

Certain general principles may be laid down with regard to

Ist. It should be easily accessible and therefore not very far from some line of railroad. The reason for this is obvious.

2d. The astronomical conditions should be favorable. These are of a complex nature and extended experiments are necessary to determine what locality to select. Considerations, not only as to altitudes above the sea, but likewise as to steadiness of star images, moisture of the air, amount of yearly rainfall and more particularly of snowfall should be regarded. It seems advisable that when the Director is appointed, Mr. BURNHAM of Chicago should be asked to visit him for consultation, and that both of them be directed to proceed as soon as possible to California to visit the various localities which seem most favorable, there to examine

by means of Mr. BURNHAM'S 6-inch equatorial the astronomical conditions of all of the best sites. It is expected that no more than eight or ten such places will have to be examined. Some of them can be pronounced upon in a few days, some it will be necessary to visit twice. Only one person need stay in California on this duty, but all the sites should be examined by the Director, preferably as soon after he is appointed as possible.

The expenses of this journey need not be large, but a proper compensation should be paid to Mr. BURNHAM. A report of these operations should be made to the Board of Trustees.

IV. The Ideas which should Govern in the Procuring of the Rough Glass for the Great Equatorial,

have been proposed in writing by Prof. NEWCOMB and it is suggested that Prof. NEWCOMB be invited to go to Europe as soon as possible for the purpose of making a satisfactory contract with a proper firm for the casting of the glass in the rough. Instructions should be given him from the Board of Trustees as to his duties and power to act, and suitable experiments on the glass from various manufacturers should be first made; in Europe or in America as most convenient. The report of Prof. NEWCOMB to the Board of Trustees should be made in writing, and would become the property of the observatory.

With regard to the other instruments, it is suggested that as soon as the Director is appointed, he should be empowered to correspond with various optical instrument makers with the view of obtaining their prices and plans. It is suggested that if the 12-inch glass with which the CLARKS discovered the companion to Gamma Lyrae be still unsold that this will be a suitable one to buy. If not, then it is suggested that they be requested to make a 15-inch glass of excellent quality and first rate mounting; also a comet seeker of 6-inches aperture, mounted on an alt-azimuth.

With regard to the Meridian-circle it is suggested that its purchase be delayed till a careful consideration of its construction is had, with a view to improving on past instruments if this be possible. Prof. NEWCOMB might be empowered to order from the REPSOLDS while he is in Europe a portable transit instrument and zenith telescope combined.

The observatory would require at least three astronomical clocks and two or three break-circuit chronometers. The clocks, it would be well to order at once.