168 TRANSIT OF MERCURY. 
- towards internal contact, which was observed at 8h. 23 m, 43:00s, 
The observations were now continued with the 74 Merz equa- 
rial, stopped down to 6 inches, and a great unsteadiness was 
observable, attributed to the atmosphere. At 8h. 44m. the 
planet was about equi-distant with group of spots from limb of 
sun. At 8h, 49m. atmosphere unsteady, and continued unsteady. 
At 8h. 50m. an apparent halo round planet. At 9h. 6m. halo 
light clouds over sun. At 10h. 39m. definition not good. At 
10h. 50m clear disc, halo not discernible. 
Towards egress the sky was covered with light clouds, rather 
thick over face of sun; and at lh. 10m. definition bad, with 
marginal indistinctness. At lh. 35m. definition improved. 
e first. contact at egress was at 1h. 40m. 2925s. _ There 
was, as stated above, no absolute certainty in the actual time, as 
the definition was not good and the wind high, causing vibrauion 
in telescope, but I am satisfied with the time given. ternal 
contact at egress occurred under same conditions, at Lh. 42m. 4-25, 
(1) Report from Law. Hargrave, double star observer. Telescope, 
a 4% equatorially mounted refractor, with clock-work and 
Jirst surface reflection solar eye-piece. Place, Katoomba. 
November 8, 1881. 
6h. 45m. a.m., and 2h. 9m. p.m., compared chronometers with 
Sydney Observatory ; by telegraphed clock ticks weather all that 
could be wished. 8h. 22m. 0-66s. S.M.T., when I saw the . 
contact, definition very good. Mercury larger than I expected 
full aperture 43 inches, and the low power 100, with the aurke 
glass. When the planet was 3 on the sun the cusps were slignly 
rounded. This appearance did not last till the secon 
which was at 8h. 23m, 41:38s,, S.M.T.; definition very . 
ry 
clouds the s b, 20 
ds over the sun at 8h. 43m., §.M.T. gr sith the i 
: tense 
e of Mercury. The blackness of Mercury 1s more”. a 
than that of a sun-spot. 9h. 53m., S.M.T., a small whirlwind 
carried the leayes up about 59 feet close to the 0 
