226 D. P. Todd—Observations of the Eclipse of 1887. 
similar to those already obtained. Over the mass, where the 
crust has been accidentally removed, the lines of crystallization 
(Widmanstatten’ figures) can readily be traced without etching 
the surface. The abrasion due to impact was very slight. 
In conclusion, we cannot, from the very circumstantial 
account of the fall, which in several paticulars contains hereto- 
fore unrecorded observances, and the corroborative evidence of 
the iron itself, decline to receive this meteorite as the ninth 
recorded fall of an iron mass to the earth; and perhaps at 
another period of the November “ Bielids,” this fall will be 
confirmed in all its interesting details. The interest connected 
with this meteorite, because of its beautifully marked and fresh 
surface, is enhanced by the concurrence of the time of its fall 
with the shower of the Biela meteors. 
I wish to express here my deep obligation to Professor 
Bonilla for the interesting data concerning this meteorite, and 
for the gift of the meteorite itself, and to Mr. Mackintosh also, 
for his kind interest in making the chemical analysis. 
Art. XX VI.—On Observations of the Eclipse of 1887, Aug. 18, 
um connection with the Hlectric Telegraph ; by Professor DAVID 
P. Topp, M.A., Director Amherst College Observatory. 
In the proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and 
Sciences for 1881, at page 359, I suggested the use of the elec- 
tric telegraph during total solar eclipses, and showed the appli- 
cability of the proposed scheme of observation to the eclipse of 
1882, May 16. Had this suggestion been adopted, it is easy 
to see how the unique discovery of a comet by the Egyptian 
observers might have been verified, and important data obtained 
regarding the orbit of an object now lost. Interesting as such 
data would have been, however, they have slender importance 
in comparison with the results in solar research possibly attain- 
able through the adoption of the proposed method of telegraphic 
transmission of important observations eastward along the path 
of central eclipse. In the same paper, I alluded to the eclipse 
of the coming summer as affording the most auspicious oppor- 
tunity of the present century for the application of the tele- 
graphic method, and it may be hoped that an attempt will be 
made toward getting something out of the suggestion on this 
occasion, as I learn, in a late letter from Dr. S. von Glasenapp, 
Professor of Astronomy in the Imperial University of St. 
Petersburg, that the Russian telegraph service may be expected 
to give the use of its lines at this time for astronomical pur- 
poses. Accompanying his letter, Dr. Glasenapp sends also the 
subjoined list of possible observing stations where telegraphic 
so 
