VOYAGE TO ALGERIA 171 



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 bastion et, hop- 

 ing 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 afterward, and, 

 having packed all up, in the sober twilight Mr. Crookes 

 and myself climbed the heights above the fort of Vera 

 Cruz. From this eminence we had a very noble view over 

 the Mediterranean and the flanking African hills. The 

 sunset was remarkable, and the whole outlook exceed- 

 ingly fine. 



The able and well- instructed medical officer of the 

 * 'Urgent," Mr. Goodman, observed the following tem- 

 peratures during the progress of the eclipse: 



The minimum temperature occurred some minutes after 

 totality, when a slight rain fell. 



The wind was so strong on the 23d that Captain Hen- 

 derson would not venture out. Gruided by Mr. Goodman, 

 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,, 



