FLORA

One of the recently discovered small planets belonging to the group between Mars and Jupiter. Flora was discovered at Mr. Bishop's Observatory in the Regent's Park, on the 18th of October, 1847, by Mr. Hind, while comparing the fourth hour of the map of Profe or Knorre with the Heavens. It had then the appearance of a star of the ninth magnitude, but shortly after the;discovery the brightne increased, and became equal to that of a star of the eighth magnitude. At Mr. Bishop's request. Sir John Herschel named the planet Flora, with a rose for the symbol. It is the eighth of the group. The period of revolution of this planet appears to be somewhat shorter than that of any other of the group, being W^ZI^ days. {Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, vol. viii.) See Planet. FLUCERINE or [s. 1384]