2 AN ACCOUNT OF THE 



attended by many privations and great exposure and fatigue. On the other hand, 

 the commander of the steamer on which I had come to Payta, warned me of the 

 risks of landing with instruments through the heavy surf at Lambayeque,^ and of 

 the possibility that he might be obHged to leave me on board of one of the trading 

 vessels anchored in the roadstead, where many days might be passed before a safe 

 opportunity would occur for disembarking. Weighing all the circumstances, I 

 concluded to remain at Payta, and be governed by the information and experience 

 which a brief residence there would enable me to obtain. 



On the same day, through Capt. d'Aignan, of the steamer of war Megere, I 

 received a message from the admiral of the French fleet in the Pacific, most 

 courteously offering to convey me in the Megere to any point on the coast, or to 

 facilitate, in any other manner in his power the observations which were the object 

 of my journey. His interest for the advancement of astronomical science was also 

 shown in 1850, when he detailed M. Kutczycki for observation of the total eclipse 

 which took place on the 7th August of that year, and his considerate offer on this 

 occasion was gratefully appreciated. As it was most desirable to increase the 

 number of stations and observers, Capt. d'Aignan received instructions to remain 

 at Payta, and carry out the arrangements Avhich might subsequently appear to 

 promise the best results. 



During the following eight days there was only one when the sky was clear to 

 the eastward at sunrise. Cirrus clouds formed before daylight, and continued to 

 obscure nearly the whole heavens imtil between 9 and 10 o'clock A. M. About 

 these hours the southerly wind usually commenced, and this, together witli the 

 increasing heat, apparently dissipated the clouds. Towards 3 or 4 o'clock P. M, 

 they formed again and continued until dark, often assuming a cirro-cumulo or 

 cumulo form. From that time, also, the strength of the wind gradually decreased, 

 and there were variable airs from the sea throughout the night, which was usually 

 clear and the stars brilliant. It is to be presumed that clear nights preponderate, 

 for the populace have a distich — 



" La luna de Payta, 

 Y el sol de Colan" 

 (The moon of Payta, 

 And the sun of Colan) ;' 



and the inference is legitimate, that the two places are respectively favored by the 

 brilliancy of the celestial bodies named. 



The experience of eight days showing that the probabilities of a favorable 

 morning near the coast were against us, on the 28th I resolved to leave instruments 

 with Capt. d'Aignan and proceed to the interior, selecting there such station as from 

 the information to be acquired, might seem to promise the best results. And at an 



' Lambayeque is 22 Peruvian leagues from Olmos, and the road between them is through a cultivated 

 valley offering resources the whole way. Dr. Moesta was prevented from landing there (by surf) until 

 5th September ; and could only reach Motupe, a village 5 leagues south of Olmos, and where he had a 

 cloudy morning on the "Tth. 



= The name of an Indian village also near the sea, but a few leagues north of Payta. 



