82 E. 8. Holden—Corona and Red Prominences of the Sun. 
seems to me not altogether impossible. Certainly an experi- 
ment worth trying and a new application of the ‘Azguiiles.’ 
*. 4.7% > be = = ee 
Geneva, Sept. 15, 1851. 
* %* * The weather looks dark and lowering with an 
uncomfortable northeast wind, but M. Plantamour thinks it is 
likely to be fine weather, and on this recommendation I took a 
place in the diligence for Chamounix. * * . 
Chamounix, Sept. 18, 1851. 
Last evening the stars were shining through the opening 
clouds, giving promise of improving weather, but a glance out 
of the window, this morning, dispels all such anticipations. 
* * * * * * * * * * * 
Chamounix, Sept. 19, 1851. 
I woke this morning at five and my first impulse was to go 
to the window to see the signs of the weather. Last night I 
had hopes of an improvement. But I was surprised to find a 
clear sky ; some clouds were resting round the ‘avguiile,’ but 
the summit of Mt. Blanc was clear. Started for Montanvert at 
7.15 with a guide. fio Sop R oie a ae 
Mer de Glace. 
* * * Attempted two or three times to hide the sun’s 
disk by projecting rocks to try to see the red prominences, but 
could not get a station far enough off. * hae fe oe 
hamounix, Sept. 20, 1851. 
* Snowing fast in morning. Weather desperately 
bad. But before going to bed it was quite clear. * * 
amounix, Sept. 21, 1851. 
* * * The fine prospects of last night were effectually put 
aside by another snow storm. * * %* #* * = * 
Chamounix, Sept. 22, 1851. 
* * * * * * 
* 
The morning bad as usual. 
Chamounix, Sept. 23, 1851. 
This morning still cloudy, yet the prospect for an improve- 
ment was encouraging. Soon after breakfast the sun oa 
struggling in the clouds, and I hurried off with a spy-glass not 
to lose the slightest chance of seeing the phenomena I wished 
to; * * * T spent two or three hours in the wet fields to 
no purpose. In the afternoon there was an effort at clearing 
again. 
2 Chamounix to Martigny, Sept. 24, 1801. 
The clouds this morning still hung on the mountains, but 
overhead there seemed some signs of clear sky. To make sure 
of losing no chance I took an early breakfast and left for the 
fields with the ordinary spy-glass belonging to the hotel under 
my arm. Sometimes it would be almost clear, and then again 
it to rain, and I was undecided whether to give up and 
