Observations on the Animlar Solar Eclipse. 129 



row circular groove, divided by small dark ridges lying between 

 them. It might have been remarked sooner, that there appear* 

 ed to the eye a darkish space very near the sun'*s limb about the 

 point of contact, just before I was fully assured that the con- 

 tact had absolutely taken place, and, something to my appre- 

 hension, to a certain degree resembling the rotatory or spiral 

 motion of dust caused frequently by the wind in our streets in 

 dry weather, but whether it was more illusory than real, I shall 

 not at this time take upon me to determine. A comparison of 

 my remarks with those of other observers, will, it is hoped, tend 

 to verify or correct them. • 



I shall not attempt to describe the effect which the darkness 

 had upon nature generally, because that though I could take a 

 glance at the surrounding scenery occasionally, my mind was 

 too much occupied with other pursuits to do it carefully. I saw 

 Venus distinctly with the naked eye, but could not perceive 

 either Jupiter or Sirius, because my eyes were too much affect- 

 ed with the constant glare of the solar rays, though viewed 

 through a pretty deep-coloured glass, to distinguish any other 

 objects accurately. I did what I could, though placed not in 

 the most favourable circumstances, to observe the more striking 

 phases of this interesting and important phenomenon with all the 

 accuracy in my power, but with what success an extensive com- 

 parison of them with those of others will determine. 



54. South Bridge, Edinburgh, 

 May 15. 1836. 



Observations on the Annular Solar JEclipse. By Alexander 

 Milne, Esq. Commander R. N., F. R. S. E., in a letter to the 

 Editor, Professor Jameson, dated at Inveresk, near Edinburgh, 

 May 1836. 



The general aspect of the morning of the 15th May was un- 

 favourable, and yielded but little prospect of a clear day for 

 viewing the eclipse. The wind was strong from the westward, 

 —the sky overcast, and a dull haze pervaded the western hori- 

 zon. Towards ten o'clock, however, all these symptoms which 

 foreboded disappointment vanished. The clouds had already 

 become partially broken, and the sky soon afterwards became 

 clear, while the sun shone forth warm and briUiant, dissipating 

 the still lingering remains of the morning vapours. 



VOL. XXI. NO. XLI.-— JULY 1836. I 



