41 



The physical phenomena noted were generally of a negative cha- 

 racter. The sun was entirely free from spots, and the atmosphere, 

 although not perfectly clear, was cloudless, and allowed good defini- 

 tion of the limbs of the sun and moon. There was a strong wind 

 from the N. W. blowing in gusts, but not enough to interfere mate- 

 rially with the observations. Towards the close of the eclipse, the 

 nearness of the sun to the horizon, and the irregular refraction of the 

 atmosphere, caused considerable undulation in the limbs, but not 

 enoun-h to interfere with close determination of egress. No distortion 

 of the cusps of the sun was seen by any of the observers, though such 

 phenomena were carefully looked for. Profs. Frazer and Kendall 

 saw very distinctly the bright line of light bordering the hmb of the 

 moon, during the whole of the eclipse, and satisfied themselves by 

 changing the screen glasses and otherwise varying the observations, 

 that it was real, and not a mere effect of contrast. Prof. Frazer 

 could get no evidence of polarization in the light from the cusps, and 

 the border above spoken of was too narrow to allow the effect to be 

 separated from that of the illuminated disc of the sun. 



Mr. Justice formed the spectrum by a prism, and found the breadth 

 of the violet part to be greatly increased during the progress of the 

 eclipse, diminishing again as the eclipse passed off. The irregular 

 prominences on the moon's limb were seen by most or all of the ob- 

 servers. 



Mr. Beans, at Norristown, observed the position of the magnetic 

 needle at intervals of half an hour, from 2 till 6^ o'clock, P. M., but 

 saw no marked disturbance thereof during that time; at most not ex- 

 ceeding 2 or 3 minutes of a degree, which happened at "2\ and 3, 

 P. M. 



The Treasurer made a verbal report in relation to the leas- 

 ing of the lower rooms of the Society's Hall. 



On motion of Prof Frazer, it was ordered that the Wiscon- 

 sin Historical Society be furnished with a copy of the Transac- 

 tions of this Society from the commencement of the New Se- 

 ries. 



VOL. VI. — P 



