54 
many of the details of light and shade. The colour of the 
eclipsed limb was of a coppery hue, much brighter towards 
the part most deeply within the shadow. The part of the 
moon not eclipsed was of a beautiful bluish-grey colour. 
That the appearance of colour cannot be caused by the 
telescope or by peculiarities in the eyes of the observers is, 
I think, proved by the fact, that the same colours are seen 
whether refractors or reflectors, either of metal or silvered 
glass, be used; and, as the majority of observers see colour, 
the eyes of those who remark the absence of it are perhaps 
temporarily afflicted with colour blindness; — the bright light 
from the uneclipsed portion of the moon may be sufficient to 
produce this in some persons. If an observer, after looking 
at the moon through the telescope, attempts to look at objects 
while the other eye remains closed, it will be found that 
until the retina has recovered from the excess of light 
everything will appear misty — in fact, the eye is partially 
blinded, and it may be that some eyes are sufficiently 
sensitive to be affected by the diminished lustre of the 
moon, and may thus be prevented seeing colour, which 
there can be no doubt the lunar surface presents during 
an eclipse. 
Some observers have remarked on the difficulty of detect- 
ing the first appearance of the shadow, and although the 
exact time is known, the real shadow is not seen until many 
seconds or perhaps minutes after the predicted time. In 
the present instance, I watched very carefully for the first 
appearance of the shadow, and, having previously ascertained 
the error of my watch, I took my position at the telescope, 
at the same time I requested a friend to take particular 
notice of the time at the moment I saw the shadow. The 
result thus obtained was within twenty seconds of the time 
given in the Nautical Almanac, clearly showing that under 
favourable conditions, and, if the attention be given care- 
fully to the subject, the real shadow may be detected very 
near the predicted time. 
