AMERICAN ALMS FOR BRITISH SCIENCE. 105 



Many may be disposed to wonder why so mucli in- 

 terest is attached to this particular eclipse. During 

 many former total eclipses even when they have been 

 visible at more conveniently accessible stations less 

 care was taken to fit out expeditions. And, what is 

 even more to the point, observations have been made 

 on eclipse after eclipse, in former times, without add- 

 ing jot or tittle to our knowledge of solar physics. But 

 during recent eclipses things have altered. In 1860 

 the celebrated " Himalaya Expedition " sailed to Spain 

 from England ; while other parties came from France, 

 Italy, and Germany. And, though the old fault of 

 wasting observing energy on matters already known 

 or demonstrated prevailed very largely, yet De la Eue 

 and Secchi, by photographing the eclipsed sun, well 

 repaid the whole cost of these expeditions. In the 

 great total eclipse of August, 1868, Europe sent out 

 many observing parties to India, and the great dis- 

 covery that the red prominences seen round the totally- 

 eclipsed sun are masses of glowing vapor sufficiently 

 repaid the cost. In August, 1869, the Americans 

 availed themselves right skilfully and worthily of the 

 passage of the moon's shadow across their continent ; 

 and, though they failed in the main purpose they had 

 set themselves, they made preliminary observations of 

 the utmost importance and value. That purpose was 

 to ascertain the nature of the glorious aureole of light 

 Been around the sun during total eclipses ; and it is 



