GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSES. 2 7 



of 1860 to associate the solar spots with the red pro- 

 minences in a manner closely according with the view 

 we have here put forward. * Observation proves,' he 

 says, "that the rose-coloured matter is accumulated 

 occasionally on certain points in quantities more con- 

 siderable than in others, and as the light of the corre- 

 sponding part of the sun may possibly be found more 

 or less extinguished, we arrive at a natural explanation 

 of the spots on the sun's surface. These spots will 

 exhibit the most varied forms and appearances, subject 

 to ^tKe most rapid changes, in a similar manner to 

 what has been already observed, provided they are 

 produced by clouds. They will change their position 

 on the surface of the sun like clouds on the surface of 

 the earth.' 



I trust that the great eclipse which is approach- 

 ing will not pass without adding largely to our know- 

 ledge of solar physics. Everything seems favourable 

 the regularity of the Indian climate ; the long range 

 of inhabited country traversed by the shadow; the 

 careful preparation which has been made for spectro- 

 scopic observation, and for taking photographic views 

 of the phenomena presented during the totality. All 

 these circumstances, and the exceptional character of 

 the eclipse itself, combine to afford promise of inter- 

 esting and important discoveries. 



Since the above was written I have heard of several 

 other expeditions which have been sent out to view 

 this important eclipse. The Prussian Government has 



