392 Royal Astronomical Society. 
M. Plana was extremely anxious that we should observe the eclipse 
at the Observatory, where every facility depending on an ample 
supply of instruments, and an accurate determination of time, could 
be afforded us. I had, however, long before fixed on the Superga 
as a station from which I should desire to see, if possible, the grand 
phzenomena of a total eclipse as exhibited on a large tract of country. 
It may be proper here to mention that the Superga is the highest 
point of an insulated cluster of hills, perhaps 800 feet above the Po, 
and five miles from Turin. It is completely surrounded by the plain 
of Piedmont, and commands a most remarkable view: on the east 
over the plain of Lombardy; on the north-east, of Monte Rosa and 
the neighbouring high Alps; on the north, of the mountains of the 
Val d’Aosta (Mont Blanc itself is hidden by them); on the west, of 
Monte Viso and the Dauphiny Alps; and on the south and south- 
east, of the Maritime Alps and the Apennines; with the plain ex- 
tending from the foot of the hill to the bases of these mountains in 
every direction. As the eclipse was to be total for the Superga 
itself and for the western and southern mountains, and partial for the 
northern mountains, I had thought it possible that I might see in 
great perfection the different phenomena in the different parts of 
the view. The sequel will show that in this respect I was disap- 
pointed, but that (by chance) a most important advantage was ob- 
tained by my adherence to this plan. Finally, it was arranged that 
Professor Forbes should make his observations at the Observatory, 
and that I should go to the Superga. 
On the 7th, the observations to be made were fully discussed, 
and the series of observations intrusted to each person were drawn 
out in the form of written instructions. The observations bearing 
upon physical optics were principally consigned to Professor Forbes, 
those of astronomical character to myself. The unfortunate cir- 
cumstances of weather, however, rendered the former impossible, 
and in some degree abridged the latter. 
The morning of the 8th, at one or two o’clock (civil reckoning), 
was very dark and lowering: scarcely a star was visible. I pro- 
ceeded, however, with a companion to the Superga, and reached it 
at a short time before five o’clock. Every facility for viewing the 
eclipse from any part of the church cr convent of the Superga that 
I might select was offered me by the fathers of that establishment ; 
and, had my object been simply to view the country during the 
eclipse, I should undoubtedly have stationed myself in the upper 
gallery of the dome of the Superga. But the platform in front of 
the portico offered far greater facilities for the placing of my 
telescope, and more of general convenience ; and, by moving a few 
steps, I could at any time command the whole plain. I therefore 
adopted the platform as my station. I think it due to the courtesy 
of the Italians to remark, that though many persons were present, I 
did not receive the smallest interruption of any kind from any one. 
The sun was clear, and I saw the beginning of the eclipse very well. 
The power which I used throughout the eclipse was about 27 (as 
I have since found by the well-known method of comparing a distant 
