Total Eclipse of August 7, 1869. 185 



graph by Mr. Swift and myself. That the phenomena is- 

 real we have no doubt. It is well known that the limb 

 of the moon is exceedingly rough and jagged, with moun- 

 tains projecting to a great height. Now it is reasonable 

 to suppose that when this mountainous limb of the moon 

 cuts off' the slender crescent of light it must be more or 

 less broken up in sections, depending on the irregularities 

 of the surface and the position of the observer. We are 

 more strengthened in this opinion, since previous to the 

 first contact, Mr. Swift saw five mountain peaks on the 

 moon, and he reported the beads the most conspicuous in 

 the region towards this part of the lunar disk. 



The duration of Bailey's beads was accurately recorded 

 on the chronograph by Mr. Swift and myself, and found 

 to be five and one-half seconds. This is the first exact 

 record ever made for the duration of the phenomena. 



As the light grew less and less, suddenly the sun seemed 

 to dart under the black disk of the moon, producing a 

 a feeling of chilliness. Now was seen in all its splendor 

 the large red protuberance sitting on the edge of the moon, 

 and appearing very much like a great ship under full sail. 

 Farther to the left was another, nearly as large, with two 

 bent rays, somewhat resembling the antlers of a deer. 

 Five others, not quite as large, were seen on different parts 

 of the disk, all of a deep red color. 



After looking with astonishment for a few seconds, we 

 proceeded to measure with the micrometer the height and 

 position of the largest flame. But just at the critical mo- 

 ment, fortunately or unfortunately, one of the hand rods 

 for moving the telescope came off", and it was necessary to 

 remove the eye from the tube to fix it. On looking up, 

 one of the grandest spectacles met the eye of which it is 

 possible to conceive. Surrounding the dark body of the 

 moon was a crown of light, with rays shooting out in five 

 great sheaths, to a distance equal to the sun's diameter, 



[Trans. viJ] 24 



