392 PROFESSOR C. MICHIE SMITH ON OBSERVATIONS ON 



three inches being recorded by 1 p.m., and continuing less heavily, but steadily 

 till 10 p.m. The total rainfall for the day was 4 - 88 inches." 



To complete the description of the phenomena, I will now quote from the 

 accounts of some reliable observers in other parts of the Presidency. The 

 following is from the diary of the superintendent of the lighthouse at Muttum, 

 in the south of Madras, for September 1883 : — 



" 6th, 7th, 8th. — After sundown on these days there was a very peculiar 

 saffron glare, which faded as it became dark. On 8th it was very marked. 



" 9th (Sunday).— This day, from about 4 p.m., the sun became perfectly green, 

 and could be looked at without any inconvenience. The saffron glare after 

 sunset seen. The green appearance of the sun continued several days, both in 

 the morning and the evening. 



" 13th, 6.30 p.m. — A large meteor [? a fire-ball] passed from west to north- 

 east. It burst three times and faded away. 



" loth. — There were observed on this day five clusters of spots on the sun ; 

 the green tint has been lost, and the sun is of a natural colour. 



" 22nd. — Sun again appeared of a very green colour, which continued every 

 day up to the 28th." 



The next account is from Bellary : — 



" Sunday, 9th September. — Sun set as usual, but after sunset a lurid glare 

 spread over the sky, the colour being red with mauve in it. [Another corre- 

 spondent writes that he thought the infantry lines were on fire.] 

 \ "Monday, 19th. — Sun, both at rising and setting, emerald green. 



" Tuesday, 11th. — Again the same appearance both at rising and setting. 



" 12th, l$th, \Mh. — Emerald green at sunset. After this week no record." 



From Coonoor, on the Nilgiris, more than 6000 feet above sea-level, I have 

 the following notes from Mr J. F. Gell : — 



" Sunday week (9th) was remarkable chiefly for a persistent red glow, 

 likened by many to the reflection of some great fire. Our sunsets have been 

 gorgeous for several days, always abounding in the peculiar pea-green tints. 

 Last evening (20th) the eastern sky and the whole landscape showed a most 

 lovely and unusual greenish glow. After sunset a few clouds in the east were 

 tinted lilac. The more distant mountains stood out very distinct against the 

 green — clear but somewhat deep — of the sky. All near trees and other objects 

 at hand had a ' scene-painty ' (chromium oxide suggested) green tint. Ked 

 predominated in the western sky on the many clouds ; but there was an 

 intensely luminous area of hardly yellowish light near where the sun had set, 

 which must have continued an hour. The ' shimmery' appearance of the sun, 

 and the ease with which it could be looked at during Monday to Thursday, 

 were remarked everywhere. There has been a good deal of bright lightning 

 seen at some distance over the plains on many days." 



