( 24P > 
of the Eclipfe feemed to be cut off from the reft by a good 
interval,and appeared like an oblong Star rounded at both 
Ends, in this Form < : which Appearance could 
proceed from no other Caule but the Inequalities of the 
Moon’s Surface, there being fome elevated parts thereof 
near the Moon’s Southern Pole, by whofe Interpofition 
part of that exceedingly fine Filament of Light was inter- 
cepted. 
A few Seconds before the Sun was all hid, there difcove* 
red it felf round the Moon a luminous Ring, about a 
Digit or perhaps a tenth Part of the Moons Diameter in 
Breadth. It was of a pale whitenefs or rather Pearl colour, 
feeming to me a little tinged with the Colours of the Iris, 
and to be concentrick with the Moon, whence I concluded 
it the Moon’s Atmofphere. But the great height thereof 
far exceeding that of our Earth’s Atmofphere ; and the Ob- 
fervations of fome, who found the Breadth of the Ring to 
encreafe on the Weft Side of the Moon, as the Emerlion 
approached ; together with the contrary Sentiments of 
thofe whofe Judgment ! lhall always revere, makes me lefs 
confident, elpecially in a Matter whereto, I mull confefs, 
I gave not all the Attention requifite. 
Whatever it was, this Ring appeared much brighter and 
whiter near the Body of the Moon than at a Diftance 
from it ; and its outward Circumference, which was ill 
defined, feemed terminated only by the extream Rarity 
of the Matter it was compofedof ; and in all Refpeds 
refembled the Appearance of an enlightned Atmofphere 
viewed from far : but whether it belonged to the Sun or 
Moon I lhall not at prelent undertake to decide. 
During the whole time of the Total Eclipfe I kept my 
Telefcope conftantly fixt on the Moon, in order to ob- 
ferve what might occur in this uncommon Appearance .* 
and I found that there were perpetual Flallies or Corufca- 
tionsof Light, which feemed for a Moment to dart out 
R r from 
