70 



beforehand and the observer hunts systematically for ob- 

 jects not on the map. In the last eclipse several distin- 

 guished astronomers engaged in this work, two of whom 

 report success for the first time in the history of eclipse 

 observations. Each of them found two objects not on 

 the chart, which therefore cannot be stars, for no stars 

 except those on the chart exist in that part of the sky 

 as bright as the new objects are described to be. The 

 positions given by the two observers, Prof. Watson and 

 Mr. Swift, unfortunately do not agree, and consequently 

 there Avere four new objects seen, unless one of the ob- 

 servers in the hurry of the moment made a mistake in 

 his record. This is a point which no one can settle. 

 The new objects cannot be asteroids, for they are so 

 bright that they would have been discovered long ago if 

 that were the case. It has been suggested that they may 

 be comets, but the discoverers are positive in their de- 

 scriptions and would not be likely to be deceived, since 

 they are experienced observers. It is generally conceded 

 that one or more new planets moving about the sun within 

 the orbit of Mercury has been discovered, and the search 

 for new planets will receive much attention in future 

 eclipses. 



[The concluding illustration represented the progress 

 of an eclipse, the sun being gradually concealed by the 

 advancing moon, and the corona bursting forth at the 

 moment of totality.] 



We may sum up briefly the scientific results of the last 

 eclipse, as far as they can now be given. 



1. The discovery of one or more intra-Mercurial 

 planets.^ 



1 Since the above was written, a valuable discussion of the subject of the exist- 

 ence of intra-Mercurial planets has been published by Dr. Peters of Hamilton Col- 

 lege, New York. It presents in a masterly way the negative side of the question, 

 showing that the supposed observations of such bodies that have been made dur- 



