160 FEAGMENTS OF SCIENCE. 



been 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 afterwards, and, having packed all up, in the 

 sober twilight Mr. Crookes and myself climbed the 

 heights above the fort of Vera Cruz. From this emi- 

 nence we had a very noble view over the Mediterranean 

 and the flanking African hills. The sunset was remark- 

 able, 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 forti- 

 fication 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 



