I speak of, which is considered to indicate a new element, is the very line which 

 has been recognised in the spectrum of the terrestrial aurora. And it becomes an 

 interesting and important question, which, however, is far from being established 

 as yet, whether the solar atmosphere is not in reality a coutinuous material 

 (whatever its nature may be) increasing in d nsity from the photosphere upwards, 

 the sohr atmosphere proper, gradually merging into the corona, and that again into 

 the zodiacal light ; which we have good ground for believing communicates with 

 the atmosphere of our planet, and conveys the impulses of inegular outbursts 

 of solar energy, recognised by us in the displays of our terrestrial auroras. This 

 supposition derives additional support fiom the fact that Professor Anastiom has 

 observed a bright line which is common to the spectra both of the zodiacal light 

 and the aurora ; and thus the connection, long suspected, between solar dis- 

 turbances, auroral displays in the upper regions of our atmosphere, and simulta- 

 neous magnetic storms over the whole suiface of the globe, receives, if not a 

 full and satisfactory explanation, yet, at all events, has so much new light 

 thrown upon it that the subject be omts one of the highest interest and im- 

 portance. Besides these valuable additions to our knowledge of the solar 

 atmosphere, another disputed poiut has_ been satisfactorily established by the late 

 eclipse, viz., the fact of the corona being in reality a solar appendage. 



It had been held by Mr. Lockeyer and some few other persons that the 

 corona was an effect caused by our own atmosphere, and although they found it 

 necessary to modify this supposition, and to confine it to a portion only of the 

 corona, yet they still partially maintain their former opinion. However, certain 

 photographs, taken during totality last December, at Syracuse and Cadiz res- 

 pectfully, exhibit a very marked correspondence in the rifts or openings of the 

 corona ; and although it is true that all these openings do not exactly correspond, 

 yet, considering the acknowledged variability of the coronal rays, and the circum- 

 stance that these pictures were not taken at the same instant, the fact that there 

 is a general correspondence leaves us little room to doubt that the effect is not due 

 in any way to the earth's atmosphere ; and again it is stated by Mr. Brothers that 

 two photographs taken by him, with an interval of one minute of time, exhibit 

 in the stereoscope a very decided stereoscopic effect, throwing the corona back from 

 the moon's di-c ; whereas two copies of the same picture give no appearance of 

 relief whatever in the stereoscope. 



Gentlemen, I now close my year of office as President of the Woolhope 

 Club with the expression of my cordial thanks to it3 officers and members for 

 their kind consideration and co-operation, and my regret that I should have seen 

 so little of them during my tenure of that honourable office. I trust that 

 the Club may long maintain its present flourishing condition, and continue to 

 grow in vigour and usefulness as it grows in years. 



Stretton Rectory, Feb. 23, 1871. 



