286 Scientific Intelligence. 
ceding three weeks, that when we closed the tent, three hours before the 
eclipse would begin, I had no confidence that the next morning would be 
favorable for observation. ; 
A. M. we were up and had removed the meteorological instru- 
ments from camp to the knoll. At that time it was sufficiently light to 
write without artificial aid. Mt. Rainier was distinctly visible and sharp- 
ly cut against the southeastern sky. Beyond it and towards the point 
to the N. and E., and were more evidently in rays diverging from the point 
of sunrise to an elevation of some 25°. The air was so cool and so loaded 
with moisture that although the telescope had been out all night the ob- 
ject glasses were densely covered with dew immediately after the caps 
were removed. By (04 30™) a part of the vapor in the N. an Eh 
condensed into little cumuli beyond the Cascade range each more light 
sharp and without tremor. Indeed the atmosphere was so still that the 
of a telescope. But it was at once perceived that there was grea ©” 
pin of the lune, the lower half being flattened by the unequal re 
raction, 
was directed to the vapor near us. ‘ 
the prairie had apparently been converted into a placid lake with Bem 
and there a knoll projecting through and forming a minature isle, 
illusion being enhanced by rapidly diminishing intensity of the lig 
At (0% 54m) distant objects could not be recognized more distinctly tha® 
during eam ae twilight at 8} Pp. 
obscuration took place, and that did not occur, the moon’s disc equally 
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