Regarding the ease with which comets may be discovered in the clear skies of America, Professor H. H. Turner, in his lecture on Halley’s comet, given before the British Association in 1908 at Dublin, referred to a meeting which took place at Albany, New York, of the Board of Visitors. A discussion arose as to the value of some desk work which the director was carrying on, as compared with the discovery of a comet, which it was suggested would surely add to the reputation of the observatory. Professor Boss (the director) promptly remarked that nothing was easier, if they would sanction the outlay of certain sums of money to be used as salary for a person of average intelligence, while devoting himself to the search. “The challenge was accepted on the spot,” remarked Professor Turner, “the money subscribed, the searcher set to work, and within the allotted time a fine comet was found. Professor Boss undoubtedly took a certain risk in undertaking to catch a comet, just as a man who would undertake to catch a fish within a definite time. But he was anxious to indicate his views of the relative importance of different kinds of work, and deserved the success he ventured to count upon.” One wonders if this was the occasion referred to when it is said that the comet-hunter, after a preliminary search for a comet, returned to the room where the Visitors were awaiting his report, announcing that he had discovered a comet in such and such a part of the sky. It was immediately claimed by Professor Barnard, who was present on this occasion, as one that had already been discovered by him last spring, or a year or so ago, as the case might be. After this had occurred two or three times, it is said, the comet-hunter remarked to Professor Barnard, “Why don’t you keep your comets chained?” However, it may be as well to take this story _cum grano salis_. The cloud-laden skies of England are not encouraging, as far as comet-hunting is concerned. It may be possible, when the moon is absent, to get a glimpse of a comet low down in the vapors after sunrise or sunset, if the chances are favorable. Then follows a week of cloud and misty skies during which period the comet has vanished. For this reason the discovery of comets in England is rare, but all the more credit to those who eventually succeed in making a capture. Our veteran comet-hunter is Mr. W. F. Denning, of Bristol, who has specialized in the observation of comets and meteors. In his book on _Telescopic Work on Starlight Evenings_ he gives an instance of two experiences he had in the year 1881, showing how he missed one comet, but succeeded in finding another, just before sunrise, when comet-hunting is not nearly as attractive, one imagines, as in the evening.