Observed in the late Transit of Venus. 61 



dwell upon this fact, because I am of opinion it gives so 

 much more weight to the accounts of the different observers 

 who saw the phenomenon under such conditions. 



The first phases seen at the Observatory, or indeed, so 

 far as I am yet informed, anywhere in Victoria, were when 

 the planet was about half or more on the sun's limb. I 

 was observing with an eight-inch refractor, and at my first 

 glimpse Venus was about five-sixths of its diameter on the 

 sun. The first thing that struck me was the remarkable 

 distinctness with which the luhole disc of Venus was seen, 

 that portion outside the sun's limb being nearly as distinct 

 as that within. It appeared of the same tone, but was 

 margined by a bright thin edge of light 



I propose to give now the statements of other observers 

 with respect to this phenomenon, before referring to any of 

 the subsequent phases. 



The late Professor Wilson, observing at Mornington with 

 our beautiful four and a-half " Simm's " Equatorial, remarks 

 respecting this phase : — " About five minutes before internal 

 contact there was an appearance I do not recollect having 

 seen described. The circle of the dark body of Venus was 

 continued and completed outside the edge of the sun, 

 marked out by a narrow luminous arc. There was no doubt 

 about this appearance. I quite satisfied myself that it was 

 not a mere mental continuation of the circle." 



At Glenrowan, Mr. Gilbert, observing with four and 

 a-half inch refractor, by Cooke, noted about two and a-quarter 

 minutes before estimated internal contact "the. limb of 

 Venus visible outside sun's edge, which appeared luminous, 

 the margin being quite distinct where the luminosity was 

 densest." 



Mr. Thomas Harrison, observing at the Observatory with 

 a two three-quarter inch refractor, remarks : — " I several 

 times fancied that the disc of Venus appeared darker 

 than the surrounding glare of the sky, and seemed to 

 trace the dark outline even when the light streak was 

 not visible. The light line or streak outside the planet's 

 disc (represented in sketch), although not of the thickness 

 shown, was scarcely as bright as represented." 



Mr. Anketel M. Henderson, observing with a Browning 

 eight and a-half inch Newtonian, notes regarding this phase: 

 — "It cleared about 11.40, and I got my first observation. 

 Definition perfect, not the slightest tremor. At 11.53 or 

 thereabouts I was surprised by seeing the portion of Venus 



