a micrometer in the eye-piece for taking rapid approximate measure- 

 ments. 



At about 2h. 46m. p.m. local mean time, the telescopes were placed 

 in position, and at 2h, 53m. 488. local mean time, I observed the first 

 contact, its situation is sketched on Fig. 1. A thin film of clouds 

 now covered the sun, but without materially interfering with distinct 

 vision. 



The moon made rapid progress over the sun's disc. Day-light began 

 perceptibly to wane, when about 9-lOths of the sun's diameter was 

 eclipsed, the landscape then assumed a sombre appearance, which 

 rapidly darkened into an awfully black hue. 



Under a power of 110 the mountains in the moon were visibly 

 defined against the sun's bright disc. The position of these, as I 

 observed them, is sketched on Fig. 2 ; they were situated chiefly on the 

 southern cusp. 



As totality approached, the sun's uueclipsed limb presented the 

 appearance of a most brilliant golden thread of a segmental form, this 

 instantaneously broke up into beads and strings of light, presenting 

 the phenomenon known by the name of " Baily's Beads." These I 

 observed on the southern cusp only, and in positions corresponding 

 with those of the mountains in the moon; I have sketched them in 

 Fig. 3. This phenomenon appears to me to be clearly accounted for by 

 the sun's rays shining through the spaces or valleys between the moun- 

 tains in the moon. 



On the disappearance of the beads, the duration of which was very 

 brief, (perhaps four or five seconds,) the corona and red prominences 

 became visible. Fig. 4 is a representation of the sun during its total 

 obscuration, it shews the corona and the red prominences. Of the 

 latter, the two drawn on the following limb were the first seen, their 

 form was conical, the bases being towards the sun, the base of each was 

 about two-thirds of its height, they subtended an angle of about 38", 

 making their height 17,780 miles. As the moon advanced, these soon 

 disappeared. 



On directing the telescope to the preceding limb, three more pro- 

 minences came into view. The lowest of these, as shewn on the sketch, 

 appeared like an inverted cone, the apex being towards the sun; it 

 resembled fire violently shot forth from an orifice, diverging and decreas- 

 ing in intensity as it ascended, until it was lost in the light of the corona. 

 The appearance of the prominence next in succession was wonderful 

 beyond description; after ascending vertically to a vast height, it bent ofif 

 nearly at right angles in a southerly direction, extending itself nearly to 

 an equal distance southwai'ds ; as the moon progi*essed in her orbit, it 



