VOYAGE TO ALGERIA. 121 



I waited for some time on the bastionet, hoping to get a 

 glimpse of the moon on the opposite border of the sun, 

 but iu. 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 my- 

 self 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 exceedingly fine. 



The able and well-instructed medical officer of the 

 Urgent, Mr. Goodman, observed the following temper- 

 atures during the progress of the eclipse: 



Hour Deg. Hour Deg. 



11.45 56 12.43 . 51 



11.55 

 12.10 

 12.37 

 12.39 



55 1.5 



54 1.27 



53 1.44 



52 2.10 



52 

 53 

 56 

 57 



The minimum temperature occurred some minutes after 

 totality, when a slight rain fell. 



The wind was so strong on the 23d that Captain 

 Henderson would not venture out. Guided by Mr. Good- 

 man, 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, the Moorish arches being still there in 

 ilecay, but the fort is now very strong. About four or five 

 hundred fine-looking dragoons were looking after their 

 horses, waiting for a lull to enable them to embark for 

 France. One of their officers was wandering in a very 

 solitary fashion over the fort. We had some conversation 

 with him. He had been at Sedan, had been taken prisoner, 

 but had effected his escape. He shook his head when we 

 spoke of the termination of the war, and predicted its long 

 continuance. There was bitterness in his tone as he spoke 

 of the charges of treason so lightly leveled against French 

 commanders. The green waves raved round the prom- 

 ontory on which the fort stands, smiting the rocks, 

 breaking into foam, and jumping, after impact, to a 



