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were in readiness for the total eclipse, our equatorials being 
in good adjustment and working beautifully. Alas ! by 
this time the sky was almost entirely overcast, and at 12-45 
rain began to fall freely. At one o’clock it rained heavily 
and we had to protect the lenses with our mackintoshes. 
In less than seven minutes totality was due ! At five minutes 
past one the sun began to struggle through and up went our 
binoculars on the off chance of a glimpse of the flash. To 
our surprise the absorption spectrum was at once seen and 
became increasingly distinct. Covers were thrown off the 
lenses, and all at once the curved Fraunhofer lines gave 
place to the beautifully bright and coloured radiation spectrum 
of the chromosphere and the exposure of the “ flash ” was 
made. The visual observation of this phenomenon alone 
was worth the money and the trouble. It was, however, 
impossible for me to watch until the flash disappeared, as I 
had to get the Sun into the telescope. Turning round sharply 
I saw the shadow approach with appalling velocity, darkening 
sky and land in its onward sweep. Then a long drawn out 
“ Oh ! ” was heard from the surrounding crowds, and the 
thing that five minutes before seemed impossible, was actually 
upon us. The Sun was set in a clear space and corona and 
flames were obvious at a glance. The instant I got the 
Sun’s limb against the cross wires of the positive eyepiece, 
giving a power of 25 on the little two-inch refractor, I counted 
six crimson flames on the east limb, quite distinct and separate. 
My personal attention was too fully concentrated on the 
task of exact driving to pay much heed to the shape of the 
corona ; but I was struck with its silvery beauty and extreme 
tenuity. No sketch I have ever seen could suggest its 
softness and delicacy. One thing at once occurred to me, 
and that was to wonder how it could ever have been questioned 
whether the flames were solar or lunar ; their gradual shorten- 
ing on the east as the moon moved over them was obvious, 
as well as the appearance and lengthening of others on the 
west. The return of sunlight was startling in its swiftness, 
and the departure of the shadow as marked as its approach. 
The fall of temperature was very noticeable, our estimate 
being that it had dropped some 12 degrees. Records taken 
by the Rev. T. G. R. Phillips, M.A., F.R.A.S., show it to 
have been a fall of 14 degrees. 
The shadow bands were distinctly visible for several seconds, 
although we had made no preparations for observing them. 
We had no sheets spread, nor was any wall at hand ; but 
sharp bickerings in the air all round were such as to cause 
me to call out in surprise to my companions “ See the shadow 
