192 Total Eclipse of August 7, 1869. 



height. Directly under it was seen a white spot, nearly 

 as large as the protuberance Itself This was probably its 



reflection on the disk of the mOon. Its physical consti- 

 tution is well described by Mr. Swift, in his report. 

 While under our observation, no radical changes in its 

 appearance were noticed. The color was a deep red near 

 the base, gradually changing to pink towards the top. 



The spectroscope shows, that these flames are hydrogen 

 gas in a state of combustion. Its illuminating power, 

 however, must be very great; since this flame was seen, 

 for nearly six minutes after the end of totality. Its disap- 

 pearance was peculiar and entirely contrary to our expect- 

 ations. It was presumed that a luminous flame, when 

 brought in opposition to a stronger light, would gradu- 

 ally grow less and less, until it finally faded away. No 

 such phenomenon was manifested during its disappear- 

 ance. It seemed to retain its intensity, until it was en- 

 tirely cut off, or apparently lifted up by the advancing 

 crescent of solar light. This phenomenon was also re- 

 marked by Mr. Swift. 



Another flame to the left had two branches bent out- 

 wards, looking somewhat like the antlers of a deer. Its 

 height was not measured, but was estimated to be nearly as 

 great as the large one before described. To the right a 

 small one projected out, which was bent in the form of a 

 hook. The remaining four noticed, were small, and did 

 not present any unusual appearance. 



Stars visibk . 



Previous to the beginning of the eclipse, we set up a 

 number of licjht wooden rods, Indicating the direction of 

 stars and planets. Prof. Twining and Mr. Marshall suc- 

 eeeded in seeing Saturn, eight minutes before, and Venus 

 four minutes before totality. During the totality, Mer- 



