210 



Total Solar Eclipse of September 9, 1885. [Nov. 19, 



binocular glass. As Mr. Higginson observed and sketched the great 

 eclipses of 1869 and 1870 in India, and is an accomplished draughts- 

 man, be bad previous experience to assist bim. 



10. Complete sketch by Mr. Higginson of the total eclipse finished 

 from a drawing made with a binocular. 



11. Sketch with the naked eye, by Mr. Alfred de Bathe Brandon, 

 junr., which also shows the twisted character of the large coronal 

 appendage. 



12. Sketch showing the position of the sun-spots that were visible 

 at the time of the eclipse, (a) being a very large spot that was just 

 passing off, (b) a spot not visible before the eclipse, which has since 

 developed into an intensely black sharply denned spot of moderate 

 size. 



13. Extracts from newspapers. 



In conclusion, it is hardly necessary for me to state how much I 

 regret that I am unable to give you fuller and more precise informa- 

 mation founded on my own observation. 



(Signed) J. Hector. 



[The publication of a selection of the illustrations is deferred 

 until some additional drawings or photographs expected from New 

 Zealand shall have arrived. Enclosure No. 1, giving an account of a 

 lecture delivered by Dr. Hector before the eclipse, is subjoined, with 

 the omission of a portion at the beginning, the interest of which has 

 now passed away.] 



(Extract from Enclosure No. 1.) 



The chief interest of the eclipse will lie in the observation of the 

 scarlet prominences and of the silvery light of the corona or halo that 

 surrounds the sun during the period of total darkness. The pro- 

 minences may be expected to have great brilliancy, as for some weeks 

 past the spots on the sun have shown that its surface is in a state of 

 violent activity, and one of such unusual size as to be almost visible 

 to the naked eye, will have reached such a position that it will coincide 

 with the left hand edge of the sun at the time of the eclipse, and 

 from this point unusually large flames should be looked for ; for 

 observing these flames it is necessary, in order to intensify their 

 light, to use a fragment of rose-tinted glass. On the other hand, to 

 observe the light of the corona to perfection, a very pale blue-tinted 

 glass is necessary, so as to cut off the red light and intensify the pale 

 silvery light of the corona. A telescope of high power is quite un- 

 suitable to the observer, but a wide field opera glass will be useful. 

 Instructions have been received from the Committee of the Royal 

 Society, which relate partly to the taking of a photographic, spec- 



