1885.] Total Solar Eclipse of September 9, 1885. 211 



troscopic, and other observations that require special instruments, 

 but the following extracts may be of use to most observers : — Draw- 

 ings of the corona have only seldom proved to be of great utility. If 

 such drawings are attempted on the present occasion, observers 

 ought to pay attention to the general outline of the corona rather 

 than to points of detail. A plumb line ought to be suspended, if 

 possible, between the observer and the sun, so as to fix the position of 

 the corona in the sky as accurately as possible. The vertical line 

 ought to be indicated on the drawing. Observers will find it useful 

 to draw the black disk of the sun and the vertical line before the 

 beginning of totality. . . . Observers unpractised in accurate drawing 

 will obtain more useful results by paying attention to certain features 

 of the corona than by attempting what can only be a very rough and 

 inaccurate sketch of the corona. Definite answers as to the following 

 questions, for instance, would be of great value : — (a) To what dis- 

 tance from the sun, estimated in solar diameters, can you trace the 

 corona ? (b) Does it extend further in some directions than in 

 others, and what are the directions of greatest and least extent ? 

 (c) Is there a line of approximate symmetry in the corona, and what 

 is the direction of that line ? The answers to the last two questions 

 ought, if possible, to be given in angles from the vertical line, or from 

 some definite great circle. 



II. "On the Total Solar Ellipse of September 9, 1885 (in a 

 Letter to J. N. Lockyer, F.R.S.)." By A. S. Atkinson. 

 Received November 19, 1885. 



I observed the eclipse from a spot in my own ground in Nelson, 

 which, as determined for the transit of Yenus, is in lat. 41° 17' 1*9" S., 

 and long. 173° 17' 57'5" E. 



The sky was very clear, and there was no wind, but the air was 

 optically very unsteady. 



As totality was approaching, perhaps two or three minutes before, 

 I tried with the telescope (5-in. Cooke, power 60) if I could see any- 

 thing of the corona behind the moon, but could not in the time I 

 allowed myself; I was afraid of waiting longer, as I had made 

 arrangements for taking some small photographs, and had to super- 

 intend ; and as I wished also to answer the questions of the Committee 

 of the Royal Society, I thought it best to observe the main phase 

 with the naked eye. 



I may, perhaps, note here, that in finding my way with the telescope 

 to the moon's following limb, I chanced upon Jupiter, the appearance 



