368 REPORT—1850. 
portance to note whether they undergo any change ; whether new 
ones appear, and in what part of the circumference ; whether they 
inerease on one side and diminish on the other, &c. For details on 
this very important observation, see Appendix No. II. The times 
of any striking phenomena should be recorded, no description be- 
yond reference by a single word being attempted at the time; and 
their places should be noted on the card-circle. 
21. The telescope-observers should endeavour to judge whether 
the dise of the moon is sensibly illuminated. Little confidence 
can be placed in the appearance of light, unless some of the larger 
spots can be seen. The sextant-observer should measure the moon’s 
diameter. If there is leisure, one actinometer-observation should 
be made. 
22. An attempt should be made (as has already been mentioned 
under article 14) to ascertain whether the light of the corona is 
sufficient to cast a distinguishable shadow, and whether a distance 
can be found for the candle at which the intensities of the shadows 
are sensibly equal. But it is certain that the light of the corona is 
extremely feeble, and the observer must therefore be prepared to 
remove the candle to a considerable distance. Some estimate may 
be formed of the iutensity of light by remarking the distance at 
which the letters and figures of a book can with difficulty be distin- 
guished. All observers, as far as possible, should use the same page : 
for instance, the title-page of the Nautical Almanac for 1851, or the 
title-page of these “Suggestions,” in which the same type is used. To 
give this observation its greatest value, each observer should as soonas 
possible examine at what distance he can distinguish the same letters 
in full sunshine, and at what stage of twilight and in what position 
he finds the difficulty nearly the same as during the eclipse. 
23. Should any stars or planets be seen, their places should be 
noted (mentally) sufficiently to enable the observer to identify them 
afterwards upon a celestial globe. In particular, the observer should 
note the place of the smallest star which he can see. The apparent 
colours of the stars should be noted; and the observers should also 
record what they judge to be the colours of the same stars when 
seen in a dark night. 
24. Among the coarser kinds of observation to be made with 
the naked eye during the totality may be mentioned the following. 
Whether bushes of light radiate from the corona, in what number, 
and in what directions. Whether there are beams in the direction 
of the ecliptic, like pyramids with their bases united at the sun, in 
the manner of the zodiacal light. Whether there is a red band of 
light near the horizon, or in any part of it. Whether the outlines 
of hills can be seen. Whether the smoke of chimneys can be seen. 
Whether any plants (as the sensitive plant, the convolvulus, or the 
silk-tree acacia) close their leaves or petals. Whether animals appear 
frightened. 
