502 Rev. S. J. Perry [May 24, 



regularity of outline when it stands alone in middle life, and re- 

 gaining new companions as it hurries on to its final extinction. 



The last few years have also afforded some striking instances of 

 the repulsion and proper motion of spots, so clearly brought out in 

 the researches of Carrington. Perhaps the most remarkable change 

 of this nature recorded at Stonyhurst occurred between May 27 

 and 28 in 1884, when a spot of considerable size, situated between 

 two others, moved through a great part of the distance separating its 

 two companions. 



Another class of observations consists in noting the variety of 

 tints connected with the bridges and other bright portions of intricate 

 spots, and which are seen only from time to time. Thus, in 1884, on 

 the 5th of May and the 6th of July, there were outbursts of a 

 crimson hue in the centre of spots. Such appearances vary in dura- 

 tion as much as in colour. On one occasion a reddish brown tint, 

 very noticeable on the bright separations of the umbra of a spot, did 

 not remain constantly visible, but was intermittent. At another date 

 a yellowish green tint remained visible for several days on the bridge 

 crossing a spot. In each case the coloured portion was carefully 

 compared with other parts of the disk, so as to ascertain whether the 

 effect might not be due to the object-glass or eye-piece. 



Some useful hints in view of futare theory can certainly be gained 

 by a careful study of the peculiar forms assumed occasionally by 

 the penumbra of spots, not when tbe whole area is in a state of violent 

 commotion, for then it is conceivable that any form may possibly 

 present itself, but when the umbra is regular and the spot quiet. I 

 would especially draw attention to some examples of multiple 

 penumbra observed in 1882 and 1883, which seem to indicate that 

 such disturbances are due to successive imjiulses from a common 

 centre. Or, again, I would point to the penumbral matter extending 

 from the nucleus of certain spots in 1884,, which might reasonably be 

 adduced as evidence of an ai)2^arcnt outflow of a floating substance. 

 It is doubtless fascinating to argue in support of some exhaustive 

 theory, complete in itself, and able alone to offer a satisfactory 

 explanation of every observed appearance ; but may it not be possible 

 that several true causes concur in the production of solar phenomena ? 

 And if this be admitted, then a line too hard and fast may easily 

 stand in the way of the true explanation of spot formation. Might 

 not the last mentioned observations suggest the question, whether 

 absorbent vapours may not sometimes be cast up from the seething 

 mass beneath, although a down-rush be the prevailing feature of a 

 sun-spot ? 



The study of the bright markings on the solar surface is perhaps 

 somewhat less interesting, although almost equally important as that 

 of the spot area, but the state of the sky interferes much more 

 seriously with the former class of observation than with the latter. 

 The clustering of faculae about nascent spots, their spreading as the 

 spots gets older, their lingering long after the parent spots have 



