1869.] Observations of the Svn. 417 



observing a fine spot under such circumstances I had been able to utilize, 

 I at once commenced work upon it. The spot was so near the limb that 

 its spectrum and that of the chromosphere were both visible in the field of 

 view. 



The spot-spectrum was very narrow, as the spot itself was so greatly 

 foreshortened ; but the spectrum of the chromosphere showed me that the 

 whole adjacent limb was covered with prominences of various heights all 

 blended together. 



Further, the prominences seemed fed, so to speak, from, apparently, the 

 preceding edge of the spot ; for both C, F, and the line near D, were 

 magnificently bright on the sun itself s the latter especially striking me 

 with its thickness and brilliancy. 



In the prominences C and F were observed to be strangely gnarled, 

 knotty, and irregular, and I thought at once that some "injection" must 

 be taking place. I was not mistaken. On turning to the magnesium 

 lines I saw them far above the spectrum of the limb and unconnected 

 with it. 



A portion of the upper layer of the photosphere had in fact been lifted 

 up beyond the usual limits of the chromosphere, and was there floating 

 cloud-like. 



The vapour of sodium was also present in the chromosphere, though 

 not so high as the magnesium, or unconnected with the spectrum of 

 the limb, and, as I expected, with such a tremendous uplifting force, 

 I saw the iron lines (for the first time) in the spectrum of the chromo- 

 sphere. 



My observations commenced at 7.30 a.m. ; by 8.30 there was compara- 

 tive quiet. 



At 9.30 the action had commenced afresh ; there was now a single 

 prominence. 



At the base of the prominence I got this appearance : 



-4r- 



Higher up this : J . Here I may be permitted to recall the obser- 



vation made on March 14, in which a slight movement of the slit gave 

 me first , then , and finally — , all these 



appearances being due to cyclonic action. 



