1868.] 



of the Solar Eclipse. 



7o 



I had also a black frame about 2 feet long by 1 foot high with a slit in the 

 centre, the width of which was regulated by turning a black excentric 

 cylinder. This I had previously used in observing the lines in the solar 

 and other common spectra, and I placed it 10 feet from the theodolite 

 (the shortest distance the telescope could focus) ; and close at the back of 

 it I placed a heliotrope held by a Survey Signaller, intending, if opportunity 

 offered, to examine the lines in the spectrum of the corona. In the dia- 

 phragm of the theodolite-telescope I had a system of wires (shown by dia- 

 gram below), which I had intended for assistance in general observations of 

 the flames, in case I should find that I could make no satisfactory spec- 

 trum-observations, which, from the absence 

 of any slit arrangement in the spectroscope, 

 I was rather inclined to anticipate. The 

 wires A A, B B were vertical, C C, D D, 

 E E horizontal, F F the direction of the 

 moon's path at the middle of the eclipse, 

 and G G perpendicular to F F. This system J 

 gave so many fixed distances and points 

 that I thought it would be useful both in 

 estimating the position and the height of 

 the flames. However, its utility was not 

 put to the test ; for the little time I had 

 was given to the spectroscope. I also had 

 an eight-day mean-time chronometer beating half-seconds, by Baker. 



The sky in the early morning of the 18th was very cloudy, so that our 

 hopes of success were very low ; but as it afterwards brightened up for a 

 while rather suddenly, we were somewhat encouraged to hope for a similar 

 brightening during part of the eclipse. Soon, however, at about 7 o'clock, 

 it darkened again, and remained so till after the total phase was over, oc- 

 casional openings in the nimbi giving us glimpses of the sun through the 

 cirrocumuli which were floating very high up. At 7 o'clock we had reached 

 our station of observation, which was on a large solid tower called the 

 Upari Biirj, 67 feet high and about 60 feet diameter (on the top were two 

 guns, one of which was 31 feet long) — one of the many ruins of the city, 

 and a most favourable position from which to observe the phenomena of 

 the eclipse and the general aspect of the surrounding country. On account 

 of the prevailing very high wind, we planted our instruments on and near 

 the top of the external stone staircase so as just to be protected by the tower 

 from the wind. Mr. Kero Laxuman at first set up his telescope on the 

 top of the tower; but it was blown down, as I have previously mentioned. 

 This accident much interfered with the carrying out of our preconcerted 

 plan of observation, which was as follows. 



Mr. Kero Laxuman and Captain Tanner were to take the times of first 

 and last contact, the latter by observing the actual occurrences, the former 



