1869.] ECLII'SE OP THE SUN, 1869. 251 



shooting out coruscations of the same rose-coloured light towards 

 the sun's bright disc, which display instinctively led to the 

 strict observance of the position of the first point of contact. 

 The contrast between the sun's bright disc and these rose- 

 coloured protuberances was very distinct and well marked. 

 The colour (as seen through the red screen) reminded me much 

 of the Stronfiau light in a display of fireworks. These pro- 

 minences increased, seeming to precede the moon's dark edge as 

 a narrow band during the whole time, and preserving the same 

 distinct rose colour. 



The magnitude of the obscuration was 9^ digits, and was on 

 the south side of the sun. The greatest obscuration occurred at 

 6 hours 6 min. 41 sec. The final contact, which occurred at 

 6 hours 58 min. 41 sec, was, from its position, hid from view. 



Mr. Notman, the photographic artist, made, at my sug- 

 gestion, (as he kindly did in I860,) some photographs of these 

 appearances, which are appended to this paper. He likewise 

 exposed a collodion plate to the sun, moving it forward 

 every five minutes, to show the effect of the sunlight on the 

 sensitive surface. A like exposure of sensitive paper was 

 made at the Observatory, with remarkably similar results. A 

 piece of chromotype paper was there also exposed in a similar 

 way, and formed a complete photometer scale, showing the action 

 of the sunlight in the production of photographic effects. 



On the Thursday previous, two large dark and prominent 

 spots were observed on the sun, among others less conspicuous, 

 but on Saturday (the day of the Eclipse) only one of these was 

 visible on the N. W. aspect, and the progress of the moon across 

 this spot was hid from view, owing to the passage of a somewhat 

 dense Cumulus cloud, which obstructed distinct vision. 



No distortion of the cusps was apparent. They appeared at 

 all times sharp and well defined, and no flashes nor coruscations 

 were seen on the moon, which presented the same apparently 

 dark appearance and somewhat serrated edge throughout. 

 The border of the moon before contact could not be observed 

 by the small instruments employed. 



Two polariscopes were used, one placed in a position due 

 North and the other South. There was an absence of sky 

 polarization in the one placed South during part of the 

 time of the Eclipse, but that placed North showed the usual 

 appearances. The change in the aspect of surrounding objects, 



