1868.] 



Solar Eclipse of 1868. 



109 



the western Ghauts the fall seems both smaller and more regular, G to 

 10 inches being the usual fall in the month of August. Further inland 

 we come to a tract notorious for its dryness, several places, such as 

 Gokak, Jamkandi, Bejapur, and others thereabouts, being favoured with 

 occasional showers only. I attributed this to the descent into a lower 

 and hotter region of the prevailing south-west current, the greater part 

 of whose moisture had been deposited during the disturbance of strata 

 caused by passing over the sudden barrier of the Ghauts. Beyond this 

 again, eastwards, there is a gradual rise in the amount due in August, 

 until towards the east coast the average fall is again 6 or 8 inches. 



12. Jamkandi selected. 

 Jamkandi, the residence of a native chief, was among the first to at- 

 tract my attention, partly owing to the offers of assistance which were 

 made in the name of the chief ; and this place was eventually selected 

 for the advantages of climate which it appeared to offer. 



13. Distribution of the Instruments. Lieut. Campbell, R.E. 



In the meantime the distribution of the instruments was attended to. 

 The smaller telescope with polarizing eyepieces was made over to Lieut. 

 Campbell with a copy of the " Instructions," in the full assurance that he 

 would acquaint himself with the theory and practice necessary to turn them 

 to account. I annex a copy of his Report, the perusal of which will show 

 that the instrument was in good hands. It is much to be regretted that 

 he was not permitted to give more practical evidence of the forethought 

 which characterized his prepa- 

 rations. I am also sorry that 

 he has not given a fuller descrip- 

 tion of the ingenious contri- 

 vance which he designed and 

 constructed for the ready appli- 

 cation of the analyzers to the 

 eyepiece. The annexed rough 

 sketch (from memory) may help 

 to give a correct idea of the contrivance. 



I apprehend that in the event of fair weather he would be able to 

 settle the question of polarity readily, and would have leisure to make use 

 of a hand spectroscope as well. One of these instruments also was there- 

 fore made over to him. 



14. Captain Haig s R.E. 

 Colonel Walker had further consented to allow another of our executive 

 officers (Captain Haig, R.E.) to leave his regular duties for a time if he 

 wished. As he was stationed at Poona and could avail himself of the 

 railway as far as the border of the shadow's path, I offered him, and he 

 accepted, the charge of another of the hand spectroscopes. 



