SOLAR E(!LirSE, MAY C, 1883. 143 



(A.) liEI'ORTOF DR. W. S. DIXON, U. S. N. 



U. S. S. Hartford, May 7, 188.3. 

 Sir: Agreeably to your instructions, I herewith submit the following report of my operations 

 upon the day of eclipse, and of the observations made upon the fauna and Hora of Caroline Island. 

 The tiiree partitions are respectively marked A, B, and (!.* 

 Very respectfully, 



WM. S. DIXON, 



P. A. Surgeon. 

 Trof. E. S. HOLDEN. 



nUSKRVATIQNS OP THE ECLIPSE. 



The instrument used for observing the corona was a Clark's portable equatorial, 00 i mag- 

 nifying power and 34 aperture. 



The legs of the tripod stood tirmly upon blocks driven in the ground, and the instrument was 

 sufficiently steady for the work required. The definition was good. A diagonal eye-piece, with 

 cross-wires arranged in the meridian and parallel, was used. The north point was at the apparent 

 top of the field, and the west point at the apparent right hand. 



A spectroscope, lashed to the tube, was used during the period ot totality by Mr. S. .1. 

 Browtj. 



Previous to totality I made notes and observed time for Mr. E. D. Preston. 



Upon the first glimpse of the corona, I believed it possible to make a satisfactory representa- 

 tion of its structure ; but, with the exception of two or three features, soon discovered that inexpe- 

 rience would prevent a complete delineation. 



To the right of the spider line in the meridian, at the upper part of the corona, the first large 

 tail of light was filamentous to a great extent, irregularly arranged, a majority of the fibers, how- 

 ever, assuming a curved direction trending to the right. Nearly, or quite all the fibers, were tinted 

 a delicate lilac. An apparent movement among them seemed to be due to changes in the depth of 

 color that continued as long as I dared devote to that particular portion of the spectacle. Just 

 above the parallel wire on the right side, and extending one-fourth diameter from edge of moon, 

 there were numerous narrow threads or fibers, apparently colorless, but having a more perceptible 

 movement even than the fibers in the tail of light before mentioned. These threads, also, were 

 irregularly arranged, some of them almost bowed, and presented the appearance exhibited by a 

 wheat field during the prevalence of a strong wind. 



About 12.5° from the meridian line above the moon there was a rift'or dark streak on the left 

 side that extended one-half diameter from edge of black disk. Ends of prominent tails split up 

 into two or more acute points. Between the prominent tails of light there were numerous smaller 

 oaeSj exceedingly narrow and acutely pointed, many being mere pencils of light, and all of homo- 

 geneous character. The two red prominences observed corresponded, approximately, to figures 1 

 and 5 on face of watch. The original copies and drawing are herewith appended, t 



* The portions marked B .and C hiive been given uuder the proper headings in section IV. of this report, and are 

 not repeated here. — E. S. H. ' 



t These have been carefully lompared and the last copy (only) is reproduced here. — E. S. H. 



