modification were attached to the term, specifying in each particular instance what kind of leaf was referred to; and thus removing in fact the very impression which it is calculated to make. But surely the necessity for this would be very undesirable. - 2nd. Because the term "leaf" is exceedingly indefinite; "leaves" being of almost all forms, from nearly linear to broader than they are long. It also happens that in almost every spot of considerable size, there are many different forms of these bright elongated bodies: these are not infrequently mingled together. - To say therefore that "the penumbra of such a spot was covered with leaves" would convey no definite idea of the forms of those bodies.
You will doubless remember that I first used the word "straws" as a term of comparison for the ends only of the bright lines on the penumbra, as they are seen projected beyond its inner edge to somewhat irregular lengths onto the umbra. - describing them as resembling "the edge of a piece of coarse thatching with straw left untrimmed." - The term "straws" may not be so applicable to the whole length of some of the bright ridges or faculae; - certainly not if straws were always straight, which however with us they are not. - The more sharply they are defined under large apertures, a fine state of the air permitting the use of high powers, the more rarely are they seen really or regularly divided into small portions of nearly the same dimensions or proportions. - Such at least is the result of my own very careful observations, with which some of the best that have been made in this country agree very well. - Have you seen the Paper on the Solar Photosphere by Mr. Fletcher, which is printed in the Mon. Not. of the R.A.S. for Nov.r last? He has been a most careful observer - for nearly 20 years; and he now possesses one of the most perfect refractors in this country, whose clear aperture is 9½ inches (English). Its mounting is of extraordinary solidity, and convenience also. - We have not lately corresponded on the subject, and therefore his results are perfectly unbiased by any pressure or influence form me personally.
Pray accept my cordial thanks for your very acceptable present of your "Catalogue of Measures of Doubles Stars", (1860); and the Bullettino Meteorologico, bearing date 31 Oct 1865. - I only wish I were as well acquainted with your beautiful and elegant language, as you are with our rough and composite tongue. You have really taken immense pains to render my letter intelligible to your scientific countrymen generally, few of whom I suppose are well acquainted with English; and I really feel that in so doing you have paid me a high compliment. Its subject is one of public
