Butterfield dial for latitudes 40°-60°. Standard three-scale dial (see related terms) except for the following details:-

Set around a central acanthus decoration, the second hour scale is numbered 4-12, 1-8, and the third, V-XII, I-VII. On the compass, the cardinal and quadrantal points are named in French and it is offset 8° West of North to allow for magnetic variation. The gnomon is decorated with foliate engraving. The compass base and the remainder of the reverse side of the dial-plate are filled with a table of latitudes for places in Europe, including 'MosKou 55', 'St Malo 48' and 'Barcelonne 41'. It is signed 'N BION A PARIS'.

The quality of engraving on this instrument is much lower than on the other Bion instruments, which possibly raises some doubts about its authenticity. This is the only Butterfield dial to give a latitude for Moscow.

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.