ECLIPSE OF THE STJN, NEAR OLMOS, PERU. H 



OBSERYATIONS BY MR. C. H. RAYMOND. 



Just before sunrise, the horizon was entirely obscured by clouds, but as the sun 

 appeared above the eastern mountains, the sky became clear in that direction, and 

 even there only in spots. As totality approached, however, there was only a thin 

 fleece of clouds just before the sun, and this did not interfere with the vision. 



Four solar protuberances were plainly visible to the naked eye, but they appeared 

 to be of very nearly the same color as the corona, making it look more intensely 

 bright. There was no pink or red color exhibited. They were distributed at pretty 

 nearly equal distances round the moon, one being near each of the N. E., S. W., S. 

 E., N. W. points. 



As I was occupied with the meteorological instruments, I was unable to notice 

 all the phenomena which took place. I did observe, hoAvever, that as the darkness 

 came on, the birds ceased singing, and some laborers, digging a well near by, 

 stopped working. All nature assumed a ghastly appearance, resembling a moon- 

 light night. 



So dark was it during the totality, that in order to distinguish the figures on the 

 dial of a chronometer, I was obliged to hold it close to the lantern. While it was 

 darkest, I looked at the sky to see if there were any stars visible, but there were 

 so many clouds, that those which might have been seen were covered by the 

 cumuli. 



OBSERVATIONS OF THE FRENCH OFFICERS. 



TKANSLATION OF A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN H. \^ALETES D'AIGNAN, 



Commanding the War Steamer MegSre. 



Patta, September 10, 1858. 



Sir : I fulfil a duty in thanking you for the instruments which you had the 

 kindness to lend us. At the same time I beg to make known to you the result of 

 our observations. 



The observers were on shore in longitude 81° 3' 20" west from Greenwich, as 

 taken from the chart of Capt. Fitzroy, and in latitude 5° 50" south. The ship 

 was one and a half miles N. 39° E. from the spot occupied by the observers. 



Clouds prevented us from observing the first contact. The otliers took place at 

 the following instants : — 



Observed on Board. Observed on Shore. 



First internal contact 7^- 24°'- 8'- T- 24"- 8'- 



Second internal contact . . . . 7 25 7 7 25 7 



External contact (end) . . . . 8 39 38 8 40 15 



The instants given are in mean times of the place of observation. We are not 

 able to explain the difference which appears in the observations of the last contact. 



If it be desired to refer the times of observation to the meridian of Payta, as we 

 determined it on the morning following the eclipse, it is necessary to subtract 

 32^7. 



