REPORT OF THE KEW COMMITTEE. XXXV 



As the scheme became matured, it was deemed desirable to extend con- 

 siderably the preparations originally contemplated ; and actual experience 

 subsequently proved that no provision which had been made could have 

 been safely omitted. Originally it was thought that a mere temporary tent 

 for developing the photographs might have answered the purpose ; but on 

 maturing the scheme of operations, it became evident that a complete photo- 

 graphic observatory, with its dark developing-room, cistern of water, sink, 

 and shelves to hold the photographs, would be absolutely necessary to ensure 

 success. An observatory was therefore constructed in such a manner that 

 it could be taken to pieces and made into packages of small weight for easy 

 transport, and at the same time be readily put together again on the locality 

 selected. The house when completed weighed 1248 lbs., and was made up 

 in eight cases. Altogether the packages, including house and apparatus, 

 amounted in number to thirty, and in weight to 34 cwt. 



Besides the Heliograph, the apparatus comprised a small transit theodolite 

 for determining the position of the meridian, and ascertaining local time and 

 the latitude and longitude of the station, and also a very fine three-inch 

 achromatic telescope, by Dallmeyer, for the optical observation of the phe- 

 nomena of the eclipse. Complete sets of chemicals were packed in du- 

 plicate in separate boxes, to guard against failure through a possible accident 

 to one set of the chemicals. Collodion of different qualities was made 

 sensitive in London, and some was taken not rendered sensitive, so as to 

 secure as far as possible good results. Distilled water, weighing 139 lbs., 

 had to be included ; and engineers' and carpenters' tools, weighing 113 lbs., 

 were taken. 



Mr. Casella lent some thermometers and a barometer, and Messrs. 

 Elliott an aneroid barometer to the expedition. 



The preparations were commenced by Mr. Beckley (of the Kew Observa- 

 tory) early in the year 1860; and in June Mr. De la Rue engaged Mr. 

 Reynolds to assist Mr. Beckley in completing them. 



Mr. Beckley and Mr. Reynolds were charged with the erection of the 

 Observatory at Rivabellosa ; and so well were the plans organized that the 

 Observatory and Heliograph were in actual operation on the 12th of July, 

 the expedition having sailed from Plymouth in the ' Himalaya ' on the 

 morning of the 7th. This could not, however, have been so expeditiously 

 accomplished without the energetic cooperation of Mr. Vignoles, who met 

 the ' Himalaya ' in a small steamer he had chartered to convey the expedi- 

 tion and their apparatus into the port of Bilbao, and who despatched the 

 Kew apparatus, as soon as it was landed, to the locality he and Mr. De la Rue 

 had agreed upon. This was situated seventy miles distant from the port of 

 landing, and accessible only through a difficult pass. Mr. Vignoles had also 

 taken the trouble to make arrangements for accommodating the Kew party, 

 and for the due supply of provisions — a matter of some importance in such 

 a locality. 



Besides Mr. De la Rue, Mr. Beckley, and Mr. Reynolds, the party con- 

 sisted of Mr. Downes and Mr. E. Beck, two gentlemen who gave their 

 gratuitous services, and of Mr. Clark, who acted as interpreter, also kindly 

 assisting during the eclipse. Each of the party had only one thing to attend 

 to ; and thus rapidity of operation and certainty of result were secured. 



The total expenditure of this expedition amounted to £512 ; the balance 

 of £362 over the amount granted by the Royal Society has been generously 

 defrayed by Mr. De la Rue. 



Upwards of forty photographs were taken during the eclipse and a little 

 before and after it, two being taken during the totality, on which are depicted 



c2 



