Total Eclipse of August 7, 1869. 201 



up, I again took my seat at the instrument. But while 

 in the act of doing so, like a flash of lightning the shadow 

 passed, and not only Bailey's beads but the end of totality 

 was not seen ; but seizing the wires I made the record 

 about 2 seconds late. 



The crowd, which up to this time had behaved remarka- 

 bly well, thinking the eclipse ended, rushed around the 

 instruments and broke the wires, and I was obliged to 

 complete the records by observing the time by watch, 

 which by comparison with sidereal clock was 53 seconds 

 fast. My records are for : 



Reappearance of centre of spot a, 5h. 26na. 30s. 



d, 6h. 3m. 35s. 

 Last contact, 6h. 8m. 20s. 



Respectfully Yours, 



Lewis Swift. 



Eeport by President Hill. 



Mattoon, Illinois, Aug. 7, 1869. 

 Prof. G. W. Bough. 



Sir : During the total eclipse this afternoon I was in an 

 open field near a small barn, about 1,600 feet west and 

 550 feet south of your station. According to your request 

 I herewith give you a memorandum of what I noticed. 

 This memorandum has been twice read to a party of five 

 gentlemen who were with me and they agree, after full 

 discussion, in every statement. 



A cow grazing in the field became uneasy at 5 o'clock, 

 and started for home at 5h. 7m. Soon after a hen gathered 

 her brood under her wings. Swallows were skimming 

 the ground. About two minutes before the total obscura- 

 tion, about 70 cocks and hens went to roost in the barn. 



