ASTRONOMICAL NOTES FOR FEBRUARY, 7881. 625 
deprive them of the moon’s light as a punishment. His threat was treated at first 
with indifference, but when the eclipse actually commenced, the natives, struck 
with terror, instantly commenced to collect provisions for the Spanish fleet, and 
thenceforward treated their visitors with profound respect’’ and plenty of food. 
From a list of eighty solar eclipses already computed for England, I select a 
few which will be very large, and many of them total. ~ In the early morning of 
August 3, 1887, a total eclipse in Germany and eastward. ‘‘The lovely orb of 
day having risen upon the summer scene, will appear to sink back into the arms 
of night, while the stars of heaven resume their twinkling.”” Another in 1900, 
May 28, 4 P. M.; 1905, August 30, 1 P.M. ; 1912, April 17, at noon; 1927, June 
29, 5P. M.; 1951, February 15, 7 A. M.; 1999, August 11, near noon; 2026, Au- 
gust 12, 6 P. M.; 2081, September 3, 8 A. M.; 2093, July 23, noon; 2135, Oc- 
tober 7, 8 A. M.; 2151, June 14, 6P.M. Inthe twenty-third century a large to- 
tal eclipse of the sun will occur every nine years, in the month of May, from 
2227 to 2254. i 
In just 500 years from July 21, 1881, there will be a fine solar eclipse soon 
after ro in the morning. 
Whether or not the present economy of worlds be continued for thousands of 
years to come, ‘‘of this we may be certain, that as the phenomena we have de- 
scribed have excited men’s marked attention from the earliest days, so they will 
continue to do till the end of time.” 
ASTRONOMICAL NOTES FOR FEBRUARY, 1881. 
BY W. W. ALEXANDER, KANSAS CITY. 
The Sun on the tst will rise at 7 h. to m. a. m., pass the meridian at oo 
h. 13 m. 55.24 s, p. m. and set at 5 h. 17 m. p. m., and on the 28th it will rise 
at 6 h. 38 m. a. m., and pass the meridian at oo h. 13 m. 36.80 s. p. m. and set 
2G Gk, Ag] aE TOL Ta 
Mercury on the ‘rst will pass the meridian at oo h. 36 m. p. m, and set at 5 h. 
39m. p. m. On the 28th it will pass the meridian at 1 h. 6 m. p. m., and set at 
7h. ogm. p.m. The 22nd presents a very favorable time to see this planet, it 
being 18° 08 east of the Sun. | 
Venus on the rst will pass the meridian at 3 h. 07 m. p. m., and set at g h. 
07m. p.m. Its apparent size and brilliancy are fast increasing. During this 
month it may be seen by a good eye in daylight, if the atmosphere is clear. 
About 3 h. p. m. it is in the south and in the best position to be seen. On'the 
22nd it is in conjunction with Jupiter, being 3° 20’ north of that planet. 
Mars on the 1st will rise at 5 h. 33 m. a. m., and will pass the meridian at 
10 h. 11 m. a. m., and on the 28th it will rise at 5 h. oo m. a. m., and will pass 
the meridian at 9g h. 51 m._ It is quite small and difficult to find. 
