212 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE. 



without cloud. In the more open spaces I sought for 

 stars, but could find none. There was a lull in the wind 

 before and after totality, but during the totality the wind 

 was strong. I waited for some time on the bastionet, 

 hoping to get a glimpse of the moon on the opposite 

 border of the sun, but in vain. The clouds continued, 

 and some rain fell. The day brightened somewhat after- 

 wards, and, having packed all up, in the sober twilight 

 Mr. Crookes and myself climbed the heights above the 

 fort of Vera Cruz. From this eminence we had a very 

 noble view over the Mediterranean and the flanking 

 African hills. The sunset was remarkable, and the whole 

 outlook exceedingly fine. 



The able and well-instructed medical officer of the 

 ' Urgent,' Mr. Goodman, observed the following tem- 

 peratures during the progress of the eclipse : 



Hour Deg. Hour Deg. 



11.45 . . 56 12.43 . . 51 



11.55 . . 55 1.5 . . 52 



12.10 . . 54 1.27 . . 53 



12.37 . . 53 1.44 . . 56 



12.39 . . 52 2.10' . . 57 



The minimum temperature occurred some minutes 

 after totality, when a slight rain fell. 



The wind was so strong on the 23rd that Captain 

 Henderson would not venture out. Guided by Mr. 

 Goodman, I visited a cave in a remarkable stratum 

 of shell-breccia, and, thanks to my guide, secured speci- 

 mens. Mr. Busk informs me that a precisely similar 

 breccia is found at Gibraltar, at approximately the 

 same level. During the afternoon, Admiral Ommaney 

 and myself drove to the fort of Marsa el Kibir. The 

 fortification is of ancient origin, the Moorish arches being 

 still there in decay, but the fort is now very strong. 

 About four or five hundred fine-looking dragoons were 



