Among astronomical publications in this country, the translation of La Place's Mecanique Celeste, by Bowditch, deservedly holds the first rank. Although in name merely a translation of a foreign book, with a commentary, it has many claims to the character of an original work.

The observations made by Lieutenant Gilliss at Washington from 1838 to 1842, have been published by order of Congress, and form an octavo volume of 672 pages. Three volumes of observations, made at the Naval observatory at Washington, have been published. The observations for 1845 constitute a quarto volume of 550 pages, with 13 plates; the observations for 1846 constitute a quarto of 676 pages; and the observations for 1847 constitute a volume of 480 pages, accompanied by 44 plates, showing a series of observations of solar spots by Professor Sestini, made at Georgetown observatory.

In 1852 was published No. 1 of the “Annals of the Georgetown Observatory,” being a quarto volume of 216 pages, chiefly occupied with a description of the building and instruments.

In 1855 was published Vol. I., Part II., of the “Annals of Harvard College Observatory,” being a quarto volume of 416 pages, containing a catalogue of 5,500 stars situated between the equator and 0° 20′ north declination.

With the preceding exceptions, the American contributions to astronomical science are to be found in periodicals and the transactions of scientific societies.

The Transactions of the Royal Society of London contain some observations by American astronomers before the Revolution.