88 Memoir relative to the Annular Eclipse of the Sun, 



in the Connaissance des Terns, or in the Nautical Almanac: but 

 that it is merely announced there in the usual formal manner, 

 >vithout a single remark on the occasion. It is true that 

 M. Bode, in his cphemeris published at Berlin, has given (as 

 usual) a general outline of the eclipse together with a map de- 

 scriptive of the phases: but he has not called on the inhabitants 

 to' look out for this pha:nomenon, nor drawn their attention to 

 any of the subjects which it is most desirable they should observe. 

 In order to supply this defect, as far as my humble efforts will 

 avail, I have drawn up the following memoir, under the hope that 

 it may induce others, who have more leisure and are at the same 

 time more conversant with the subject than myself, to pursue the 

 inquiry, and suggest further hints to those who may have an op- 

 portunity of observing this rare phaenomenon. 



M. De L'isle, in his Avertissement above alluded to, respect- 

 ing the eclipse of 17^8, suggested the advantage and propriety 

 of some scientific person, in the principal states of Europe through 

 which the shadow of the moon's umbra passed, undertaking to 

 aimounce to the inhabitants the several observations which it 

 would be proper for them to make ; and afterwards to collect 

 and arrange such observations for further investigation, if suffi- 

 ciently convinced of their accuracy. A similar plan might be 

 adopted in the present instance ; and, from the more general dif- 

 fusion of science, would be more likely to be attended with a be- 

 neficial effect. Such collections of observations (when made) 

 should be sent by the different collectors to one or more of the 

 principal astronomers of Europe, in order that they might be 

 finally investigated, and the result laid before the public. 



With that view I would take this opportunity of requesting 

 those, into whose hands the present memoir may fall, to circulate 

 it as much as possible on the continent; and amongst those per- 

 sons who, from their connection with any foreign literary journal, 

 may be likely to dif^'use the subject of it amongst the inhabitants 

 of that part of Europe and Africa where the annular appearance 

 will be observed. Such of our own countrymen likewise, that 

 may be travelling in any of the provinces on the continent here 

 alluded to, will promote the interest of astronomy if they would 

 carefully note do'vn or collect any of the circumstances herein- 

 after alluded to, or indeed any other remarkable phtenomenathat 

 may happen during this eclipse. I shall be happy to receive any 

 observations of this kind that may be forwarded to me, and will 

 preserve the result of them, as above proposed, for a future in- 

 vestigation. 



The elements of the present eclipse I have computed from 

 M. Burckhardt's tables of the moon and M. Delambre's tables 



of 



