VOYAGE TO ALGERIA. 121 
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. n 
The day brightened somewhat afterward, and, having 
packed all up, in the sober twilight Mr. Crookes and my- 
self climbed the heights abtrve the fort of Vera Cruz. j. . 
From this eminence we had a very noble view over the +&~ 
Mediterranean and the flanking African"~trills. The sunset 
was remarkable, and the whole outlook exceedingly fine. 
The" able and well-instructed medicat"officer of the 
Urgent, Mr. Goodman, observed the following temper- 
atures during the progress of the eclipse: 
Hour Deg. Hour Deg. 
11.45 56 12.43 . 51 
11.55 
12.10 
12.37 
12.39 
55 1.5 
54 1.27 
53 1.44 
52 2.10 
The minimum temperature occurred some minutes after 
totality, when a slight rain fell. 
The wind was so strong on the 23d that Captain 
Henderson would not venture out. Guided by Mr. Good- 
man, I visited a cave in a remarkable stratum of shell- 
breccia, and, thanks to my guide, secured specimens. 
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 looking after their 
horses, waiting for a lull to enable them to embark for 
France. One of their officers was wandering in a very 
solitary fashion over the fort. We had some conversation 
with him. He had been at Sedan, had been taken prisoner, 
but had effected his escape. He shook his head when we 
spoke of the termination of the war, and predicted its long 
continuance. There was bitterness in his tone as he spoke 
of the charges of treason so lightly leveled against French 
commanders. The green waves raved round the prom- 
ontory on which the fort stands, smiting the rocks, 
breaking into foam, and jumping, after impact, to a 
