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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I.

THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE MINOR PLANETS.

This is a subj ect on which we have a few words to say. In theearly days of this branch of astronomical discovery, a sort of un-derstanding was come to by astronomers that the names givento these bodies should as far as possible be those of ancientfemale divinities. So much for the theory which is unexcep-tionable. Now for the practice. This is bad in two ways: —

1. The original arrangement is constantly broken through; and

2, sufficient precautions are not taken to choose names, whichcannot be mistaken (by reason of similarity of sound) for ones,previously appropriated. With reference to the 1st, we liavonothing particular to say against such names as Earthenope,Massilia, Isis, fyc., as they indicate where the discovery wasmade, but we most emphatically protest against the fawningservility which prompted such appellations as Eugenia, and Maxi-miliana, and Angelina. We have the highest opinion of the excel- 1lence of the Empress of France, nor do we doubt that King Maxi­ milian of Bavaria has deserved well of his German subjects, butwhy should they be raised to the skies ? In 181 3 the Academyof Leipzic proposed to add the name of Napoleon I. to the con-stellations ; astronomers, with much good sense, repudiated theidea. Has the race degenerated ? The same remarks apply withequal force to Angelina. If Roman Catholics like to believe thatSaint So-and-so performed, several centuries ago, such and such amiracle, let them; but it is going a little too far to ask all theworld to immortalise some local celebrity by dedicating to him,her, or it, a planet.

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