THE CAMP AT JEUR. 57 



bands appear to have been about three to four inches wide, 

 and followed each other in wavy lines across the sheet. One of 

 the assistants at the camp was told off to watch the effect of 

 the eclipse upon the animal world, but unfortunately the only 

 animals in sight were a couple of miserable tonga, ponies, who 

 displayed a sad want of appreciation of the event, for they had 

 not a soul above their hay. The corona, though I did not see 

 it myself, being too busy with my photographs, was said by 

 all to have been particularly colourless; it was described as a 

 silvery light. 



Whilst serious work was thus going on at the eclipse camp, 

 Jeur station and its surroundings were rapidly putting on a 

 holiday appearance. A month or so previously some one 

 suggested that the railway company should run a special from 

 Bombay to Poona, which, after some hesitation, they advertised 

 to start if a sufficient number applied for seats beforehand. 

 Not one, but eight long specials steamed into Jeur on the 

 eclipse morning from Bombay, Poona, Ahmadnagar, Hyderabad, 

 Baroda. and Madras, and emptied out hundreds of European 

 and native visitors, some keen on observing the eclipse and the 

 astronomers, others out more for a picnic and the fun of the 

 thing. One part of the programme of the former was seriously 

 interfered with by the police, who had formed up across the 

 road leading to the eclipse camp, and stopped all excursions 

 thither until the crisis was over. The observations were thus 

 made in the greatest comfort, and the camp was absolutely free 

 from intrusion. Scores of white tents crowded around the 

 station and peeped out from the surrounding trees. The goods 

 shed was converted into a great refreshment-room, and covers 

 were set in first-class style for three hundred, but the majority 

 of the visitors had brought their own tiffin baskets. The shed 

 was gaily decorated with flags, bunting, evergreens and Chinese 

 lanterns. A special Government telegraph office was the only 

 sign of business. Jeur had never before seen so much of the 

 Western world, and, if the astronomers are correct, it will be a 

 very long time ere it will see it again. 



HENRY COUSESS. 



