TEANSIT or VENUS. 99 



'NovT' at Goulhurn at tliis time tlie wind had become very 

 strong, aud produced a tremulous motion which would no doubt 

 account for the times being a little early, for it would not be 

 possible under those conditions to see a very fine thread of light, 

 and we know that such was seen by the observers who agree best. 

 Taking the mean of all we get 3h. 54m. 35'79s., and the mean 

 of the last five is 3h. 54m. 41"25s. as below : — 

 3h. 54m. 30-Ols. 



22-37s. 



27-703. 



45-41s 45-41s. 



39-66S 39-66s. 



46-61s 46-61S. 



39-59s 39-59s. 



35-003 35-003. 



2S6-35S 5)206-27s. 



3h. 54m. 35-79s 41-25s. 



For last contact we have only three observa- 

 tions which do not accord very w^ell. At 

 Woodford Mr. Yessey took time as ... ... 4h. 23m. 5S'40s, 



This observation appeared to be correct to a 

 small fraction of a second ; the indentation on 

 sun's limb gradually contracted in width till 

 within 13 seconds of time given, and it then 

 seemed to contract longitudinally till it became 

 a small notch like a boiling indentation. This 

 was seen steadily diminishing till it suddenly 

 flashed out, and the limb of the sun became 

 perfect. 



My own observation makes this ... ... 4h. 24m. 27'OOs. 



At this time the last sign of the planet on the 

 sun's disc was seen as the faintest possible 

 mark, which then disappeared, definition being 

 then for the time very good, and the observation 

 quite satisfactory. 



Mr. Lenehan saw last and final contact at 4h. 23m. 4961s. 

 the edge of the planet being then lost in the 

 edge of the sun. 



My Own observation of this phase does not seem to be supported, 

 but the larger aperture of the telescope I used, viz., 6 inches, and 

 the steady motion of the telescope by clockwork, probably explain 

 the difference ; and this vieAv is strengthened by reference to 

 Mr. Ellery's observation in Melbourne, w^orking with similar 

 advantages. He saw the planet until 4h. 24m. 2Ss., within 1 

 second of my time. 



