No. 1.] ARMSTRONG — LAST SOLAR ECLIPSE. . 11 



the Dominion lias been awakened to the value of researches of 

 this kind. It is hoped that they will be renewed in the approach- 

 ing summer with larger means and with apparatus ibr ascer- 

 taining more correctly the temperature and composition of the 

 water at great depths. 



In conclusion, we have much reason to be satisfied with the 

 measure of success which has attended our work in the past year, 

 and to take courage for the future. 



NOTES ON SOME RESULTS OF THE LAST SOLAll 



ECLIPSE. 



By George Frederick Armstrong, M.A. C.E., 

 Professor of Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McG.ill University. 



The Solar Eclipse of the 12th of December, 1871, closed a 

 series of such phenomena, presenting features of exceeding inte- 

 rest to science. Commencing in 18G5, the Eclipses of that and, 

 with one exception, the six succeeding years afforded opportuni- 

 ties, such as will not again occur for some few years to come, of 

 investigating some problems in Solar Physics by the aid of 

 spectroscopic analysis : many of them being of the first order of 

 importance. It may, therefore, be useful to sum up briefly the 

 results that have so far been obtained. 



The untoward difficulties with which the expedition of Decem- 

 ber, 1870, was called upon to contend, and wiiich partly arose 

 from a hurried organization and partly from the more serious 

 obstacle presented by unfavorable weather — the English suffering 

 from both and the other observing parties from the latter cause 

 only — were not, fortunately, encountered by the observers of the 

 following year. 



The principle path of the Moon's shadow during the last Eclipse, 

 as was the case in some previous years, did not traverse any por- 

 tions of either Europe or America, but was confined to Australia, 

 Ceylon and India. Parties of observation were accordingly sta- 

 tioned on the Gulf of Carpentaria, at Trincomalee (Mr. Mose- 

 ley's), at Bekul (Mr. Lockyer's party, with Col. Tennant, Mr. 

 Davis, Capt. Maclear and Professor Pvespighi), at Avenashi 



