_Publications._—The observer of to-day may esteem himself particularly fortunate in regard to the number and quality of the astronomical journals within his reach. Discoveries and current events receive prompt notice in these, and readers are fully informed upon the leading topics. Among the best of the periodicals alluded to are ‘The Observatory’ (Taylor & Francis, London), ‘The Sidereal Messenger’ (Northfield, Minn., U.S.A.), and _L’Astronomie_ (Gautier-Villars, Paris). The _Astronomische Nachrichten_ (Kiel, Germany) is a very old and valued serial, and ‘The Astronomical Journal’ (Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.) may also be favourably mentioned. The ‘Monthly Notices’ of the Royal Astronomical Society and the ‘Journals’ of the Liverpool and British Astronomical Societies contain many interesting materials. ‘Nature,’ ‘The English Mechanic,’ and ‘Knowledge’ are among the English journals which devote part of their space to the science; and the beautiful illustrations in the latter entitle it to special recognition. It is evident, from this short summary, the amateur will find that his literary appetite may be amply satisfied, and should he desire a channel for recording his own work or ideas the publications referred to offer him every facility and encouragement. As to almanacks, the ‘Nautical’ which has been termed “The Astronomer’s Bible,” includes a mass of tabular matter, some portion of which is of utility to the amateur, but it does not give data which are to be found in some other publications. I refer particularly to ephemerides of the satellites of Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, to the dates of max. and min. of variable stars, to the times of rising and setting of the Sun, Moon, and planets, to the epochs and positions of meteor-showers, &c. The annual ‘Companion to the Observatory’ furnishes most of these details, and ‘Whitaker’s Almanack’ and Brown & Sons’ ‘Nautical Almanack’ each contain a large amount of serviceable information. The latter, however, is chiefly devoted to topics connected with Navigation, while ‘Whitaker’s Almanack’ is an extensive repertory of general facts.