ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY 63 
astronomers on account of the relatively long period of totality, 
which afforded an unusual opportunity for a search for intra- 
mercurial planets. A paper on this eclipse was read by Pro- 
fessor C. A. Young at the meeting of November, 1882, at the 
suggestion of Mr. Charles H. Rockwell, of Tarrytown, New 
York,* and the matter having thus been brought to the attention 
of the Academy, was referred to the Council which reported the 
following resolution: 
“The Council of the National Academy of Sciences, appreciating the impor- 
tance of astronomical and physical observations of the total eclipse of the sun, 
May 6, 1883, the long duration of which is especially favorable for observations 
for the search of intra-mercurial planets and the study of solar physics, approves 
the project of an expedition to some suitably situated island in the Pacific Ocean, 
and recommends the appointment of a committee to commend it to persons 
interested in the advancement of science, and to the Navy Department of the 
United States, for such aid and facilities for the purpose as can be best 
afforded.” °° 
This resolution was adopted by the Academy, and a com- 
mittee consisting of Professor C. A. Young (chairman), Pro- 
fessor J. H. C. Coffin, Dr. Henry Draper, Professor Asaph 
Hall, Professor J. E. Hilgard, Professor Simon Newcomb, and 
Professor H. A. Newton, was appointed to take charge of the 
matter. Subsequently, on the death of Dr. Draper, Professor 
S. P. Langley was appointed in his place, and Professor C. S. 
Peirce was added to the committee. Mr. C. H. Rockwell was 
also invited to join the committee “as having been the real 
originator of the project.” An endeavor to obtain funds for the 
expedition by private subscription having proved unsuccessful, 
the committee determined to appeal to the Government. 
Its representations to the Secretary of the Navy were very 
favorably received, the naval vessel Hartford, Captain Car- 
penter commanding, was placed at the disposal of the observing 
party, and all necessary arrangements made to secure the success 
of the expedition. 
* Mr. Rockwell had presented a communication on the subject before the American 
Association for the Advancement of Science in August of the same year. 
Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., vol. 1, p. 211. 
