78 



2. On the Total Solar Eclipse of July 28, 1851, as seen on 

 the west coast of Norway. By Professor C. Piazzi Smyth. 



The author, who was in the party of Dr Robinson, Mr Alan 

 Stevenson, and others, mentioned the very kind manner in which 

 the Hydrographical Department had not only lent its instruments, 

 but even caused them to be altered and adapted for the occasion, and 

 also spoke of the liberal conduct of the Board of Northern Lights in 

 conveying the observers to the station selected. This was on the Bue 

 island, on the western coast of Norway, in lat. 61° 9' 42", and long. 

 E. 27"" OS. 



The arrangements were, however, defeated in a great measure by 

 the cloudy state of the sky, which prevented any thing being seen of 

 the sun or moon during or after the totality. 



The instant of the commencement of the phenomenon was, however, 

 observed, as well as an interesting case of an apparent repetition of it ; 

 and a good idea was obtained of the amount of personal and instru- 

 mental equation affecting the optical part only of the observations, 

 and reaching, in this instance, the large quantity of 1™ and 50^. 



The darkness which came on at the same moment, was much 

 moi'e intense than would otherwise have been the case had the sky 

 been clear. The heavens appeared all cloudy and black, except 

 a small strip on the north horizon, which became of a lurid-red 



