442 



NA TURE 



[Septkmber lo, 1896 



breaks near the sun's place, and wider ones near the 

 horizon, a condition of things which reheved Mr. Fowler 

 from his spectroscopic detennination of the beginning of 

 the eclipse. 



Gradually everybody fell into their stations ; the sketchers 



was clear that the 9-inch prisniaiic camera would in all 

 probability not be employed. Still Dr. \V. Lockyer 

 stood by at the mirror to make final adjustments. 



A few minutes before totality, the delicate crescent 

 was seen dimly through one of the breaks. I watched it 



went up the hill, but there was no need for them to carry 

 out their instructions to shield their eyes by turning their 

 backs to the sun. 



There had been no sun to adjust the siderostat, so it 



NO. 1402, VOL. 54] 



in the 3i-inch for a minute or two, but the clouds closed 

 up before the commencement. I gave it a little time, 

 and then gave the signal, "Go," in order especially to 

 start the 6-inch prismatic camera, as the important ten- 



