THE SOLAR ECLIPSE.’ 251 
a great resemblance can be perceived, the other representations differ so widely 
from each other that doubts must arise respecting the identity of the objects. 
I now pass to the special contents of the individual memoirs, but limit myself 
to mentioning that which is worthy of especial notice, or is strikingly discrepant. 
The most comprehensive and important among the above-mentioned memoirs 
is that of Mr. Aguilar, (65,) in which we find, not only a review of all the con- 
clusions arrived at by Spanish observers, but also a collection of many results 
from foreign observers. After a historical introduction we find the limits of 
totality determined from the data given by professors, officers, and engineers, 
who, partly voluntarily and partly commissioned by their governments, had 
stationed themselves at corresponding points. {t results therefrom that the zone 
of totality agreed in diameter with the prediction, but, in position, must be car- 
ried somewhat N.NE. of the predicted place. Next follows an investigation 
of the duration of totality, which was everywhere found to be shorter than pre- 
dicted. In fact, the correction amounted to— 
15” in Vitoria. 17’ in Moneayo. 
16 in Briviescea. 16 in Castellon. 
16 in Herramelluri. 15 in Desierto. 
16 in Burgos. 12 in Campvey. 
That the computed duration should require a correction, while the computed 
breadth required none, is a contradiction, which Mr. Aguilar explains by the 
remark that the correction corresponding to the above numbers would amount 
to only 600 meters, and we can only decide about so small a quantity when a 
complete collection of the observed data is before us. 
if it should finally appear that there was a diminution of the breadth of zone 
corresponding to the diminution of duration of totality, then Mr. Aguilar thinks 
it probable that, in accordance with the idea of Faye, (69,) to be exhibited be- 
low, we must assume a lunar atmosphere. That the phenomenon may be as- 
cribed to an entirely different cause has been already indicated above. 
Further on Mr. Aguilar mentions the different views relative to the corona, 
such as the questions whether it is single or double; whether it extends out fur- 
ther at the sun's equator than at the poles; whether its light is polarized or 
not. In respect to the latter question the observations of Messrs. Secchi, 
Barreda, Rodriguez, and, above all, of Mr. Prazmowski, have decided that it is 
to be answered affirmatively, assuming thereby that the polarizing reflection 
takes place in the atmosphere of the sun, and not at the moon’s limb, or in the 
atmosphere of the earth. 
The question of the protuberances is treated most at length. Mr. Aguilar 
brings up the facts noted by the Spanish observers at Bilbao, Vitoria, Tudela, 
Logrono, Casarejos, Lortora, and Ibiza, which he considers accordant with the 
idea of solar clouds, then expresses his doubts relative to the observations of 
Gijon and Oviedo, which do not harmonize therewith, and states, in special de- 
tail, the things noticed by himself and some foreign astronomers. In this con- 
nexion steel-engraved copies of four photograms, obtained at Desierto de las 
Palmas by Mr. Monserrat, by help of an apparatus belonging to Mr. Secchi, are 
added by way of elucidation. 
Finally, the last chapters relate to the intensity of the solar light, the effect 
upon plants, meteorological determinations, and effect upon animals. An ap- 
pendix gives a summary view of all the stations and observers ou the line of 
totality from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean. 
The memoir of Mr. Marquez (66) is very thorough, and cf greatinterest. It 
contains, first, the principal moments of eclipse, the description of its progress, 
the position and magnitude of the protuberances, represented by a sketch* drawn 
*Tassume that No. 7, in the drawing of Mr. Marquez, is identical with a; Nos. 1, 2, 3, 
with the mountain chain ); No. 8 with d; No. 9 withc; and No. 1] with f. Over the pro- 
tuberance a Mr. Marquez noticed two isolated points. 
