18 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



2 2d of October there were ten spots in one group near the east edge, and a single 

 one near the center of the southern hemisphere. 



As yet I had seen but thirty-four spots at one time, and that more than five^ 

 months ago ; but now imagine my surprise and interest when, on the 29th of Oc- 

 tober, I counted 100 spots, with the 100 magnifying power — the one I generally 

 used. Putting on a power of 200, with aperture increased to three inches, I 

 counted 130 spots, arranged in ten groups, three of which were in the southern 

 hemisphere and seven in the northern. I had never heard of more than 200 sun 

 spots being seen at once ; so I began to feel much interested to see if future ob- 

 servations would disclose to me a greater number. Seeing but one spot on No- 

 vember 8th, gave no encouragement in this direction. 



By this time we realize a conspicuous change in the formation and disappear- 

 ance of sun spots. Small ones sometimes form in a few hours, and vanish as 

 soon. One day a group of little spots is seen ; next day it is gone, and a group 

 has appeared in quite another part of the solar disk. The spots in the same group 

 change their positions, and large spots change in shape. And none of these 

 changes are due to the sun's rotation on his axis. They would seem to indicate 

 wonderful commotion and great storms on the solar surface. 



On the 15th of November, sixty-eight spots in seven groups were visible. A 

 number of observations were made through the winter, none showing more than 

 fifty-four spots, which appeared in three groups January 28th, 1869. 



April 7th, no spots visible. On the nth a group had appeared with about 

 sixty spots, two of which were quite large, but many of them too small and close 

 to be counted with certainty, even with a magnifying power of 200. This power 

 showed 191 spots May 10th. On the 22d but twenty were seen. 



June 1st. Here is mynumber! — 215 sun-spots visible to-day with a power of 

 200. 3d — 225 spots in eight groups, one group having 120 spots. 14th — Only 

 twenty-one spots to be seen. But on the 24th the 100 power showed 192 spots in 

 thirteen groups. A power of 200 would probably have shown near 300 spots. I 

 reckon this to be the climax for 1869, at least no subsequent observation showed 

 nearly so many spots. Observations being less frequent during the winter months, 

 it is possible that such a display might have passed unobserved. 



After February 4th, 1870, observations were very frequent to the last of Au- 

 gust — sometimes every day. The increase in the number and size of the spots 

 was so great month after month that I always felt a wish to see and record the 

 greatest display. Although the average increase in number was so much, yet the 

 occasional disappearance or falling back in numbers was still prominent. Some 

 examples (with power 100) are: February 10th, 1870, 107 spots; 13th, 100; 

 23d, 18; March 2d, 120; 18th, 154. No fewer than 100 were observed this 

 month. On April 4th I counted 242 spots in nine groups, and on the 17th thirty- 

 two spots were all I could see. On the 24th, 126 were counted. May 15th, 275; 

 June 1st, 76; 13th, 86; 18th, 226; 19th, 349; 21st, 382; 27th, 472, one group 

 having 275 spots. 



