This systematic arrangement has been made with the intention of facilitating, as far as possible, the comparison of the orbits, and particularly that of any new orbit with those previously computed. For this purpose, the lines of division of the successive tables have been made to encroach upon each other so far, that the search for an orbit resembling the new one may always be limited to a single table and even to one of the subdivisions of that table ; for two orbits, which approach to similarity, will certainly be found together in that subdivision to which either of them properly belongs. To effect this object, all those orbits are placed in the same table whose ascending nodes are in the same sign, and all those orbits, moreover, are grouped with them which have their ascending node within ten degrees of that sign. The same method of lapping over is adopted in the subdivision in reference to inclination, while the crbits are arranged in the subdivisions in the order of their perihelion distances. Many of the orbits are thus found repeated, and some of them three or four times; and no orbit can fail to be exhibited in connexion with those orbits with which it is allied. In each subdivision, in short, all those orbits are given which properly belong to it, and also those which have, or may have, any resemblance to them; so that in order to compare a new orbit with the old ones, it is only necessary to inspect that subdivision to which the new orbit would properly belong; that is, to look into that table which has the same name as the sign of the ascending node of the new orbit, and into the first, second, third or fourth subdivision of the table as the inclination may be in the first, second, third or fourth octant.

THE

AMERICAN ALMANAC,

FOR

1847.

PART II.

UNITED STATES.

I. EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT.

The 15th Presidential term of four years, since the establishment of the government of the United States under the Constitution, began on the 4th of March, 1845; and it will expire on the 3d of March, 1849.

GEORGE M. DALLAS, of Pennsylvania, Vice-President,

THE CABINET.

Salary. $25,000

5,000

Pennsylvania,

The following are the principal officers in the executive department of the government, who form the Cabinet, and who hold their offices at the will of

the President.

James Buchanan,

Salary.

Edward Stubbs, Disbur. Agent, $1.450 H. H. Sylvester, Chief Clerk, $1,700 1,600 Charles G. Page, Exam- 1,500 W. P. N. Fitzgerald, Siners.