Total Eclipse of August 7, 1869. 193 



cury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and a number of bright stars 

 were visible to the naked eye. 



Temperature. 



Observations made by Prof. Smith, with a thermometer 

 exposed to the direct rays of the sun, showed a variation 

 of 42 degrees during the progress of the eclipse. 



The observations of Mr. House, with a thermometer 

 placed in the shade, showed a variation of 13 degrees. 



Floating Bodies. 



During the progress of the eclipse, all the telescopic ob- 

 servers noticed faint whitish bodies darting past the field 

 of the telescope. At the time they made no impression 

 but were presumed to be thistle down, midges or swal- 

 lows. But when the observations were compared, it was 

 found, that they were all seen falling in one direction, viz : 

 downwards. The idea that thev were meteoric is more 

 plausible, and it is strengthened by the fact, that the time 

 nearly corresponded to the August period of meteoric 

 showers. 



External Phenomena. 



To the naked eye, a total solar eclipse exhibits one of 

 the grandest spectacles in nature. On the sudden extinc- 

 tion of the light, the whole aspect of the landscape seems 

 changed, the faces of our companions assume an ashy 

 paleness, and all nature is surrounded with an unearthly 

 light, producing, insensibly, a feeling of terror in the mind 

 of the beholder. 



The intensity of the darkness is not as great, however, 

 as many have imagined. The light is about equal to that 



