6 Turner, Total Solar Eclipses. 



from a ship, unless we can set up instruments firmly on 

 land the observations made are of little use. In 1904 an 

 eclipse track crossed the Pacific Ocean, skilfully avoiding 

 contact at any point with even one of the numerous islands 

 which seem to have been almost purposely scattered 

 about to entrap it. In January, 1908, a similar track will 

 meet with less success, for we learnt a few days ago that 

 although it will lie for nearly the whole of its length over 

 deep sea, it does cross two small islands, both uninhabited, 

 and both devoted to the growing of cocoa-nuts for the 

 purpose of making Sunlight soap. Some of us are hoping 

 that Messrs. Lever Bros, may see an opportunity of com- 

 bining business interests with scientific enterprise, by 

 sending out an expedition to observe the eclipse of the 

 sunlight on their property. It is nearly a quarter of a 

 century since a neighbouring island, Caroline Island, was 

 used for such a purpose, but meantime other journeys 

 almost as long, and to places nearly as inaccessible, have 

 been undertaken. In 1896 I had a most delightful expe- 

 dition to Japan, in company with the Astronomer Royal 

 and Major Hills. We saw many most interesting sights 

 on the way there and back, which lay across America. 

 For instance, we were present at almost the foundation of 

 the great Yerkes Observatory, near Chicago, which has 

 since become famous in astronomical history. We were 

 escorted to our station by a portion of Her late Majesty's 

 China Fleet, and dined on the Flagship with the Admiral; 

 and under the able and hospitable guidance of Sir Ernest 

 Satow we were able to admire the skill and charm of 

 that wonderful people who had just completed their war 

 with China, and have since shown themselves more than 

 worthy foes of one of the great European powers. But 

 unfortunately, delightful though the whole expedition was, 

 the central object of it failed. On the day of the eclipse 



