Mr Johnson on the Solar Eclipse. 39S 
ably clear, I observed with my reflector a slightly palish light on 
each side of the moon, near a, 5, where the extreme points, 
or apparent horns of the crescent of the sun, were in immediate 
juxta-position with the moon ; the streak of light on the east- 
ern side being rather lighter and more extended than that on the 
western. When I first saw this appearance, I supposed it to be 
some optical illusion, or the consequence of some defect in the 
specula of the telescope ; and, in order to try if either of my 
conjectures was right, I immediately took another glass, (an 
Achromatic of Dollond, with a spray shade,) but before I could 
get it adjusted, the sun was again obscured 
Towards 30' the heavens became clearer and brighter, and 
the eclipse was again visible for a short time, therm. 64®. No 
appearance with either glass of the bright appearance on the 
moon. At 1^ 42' P. M. I observed Venus, with the naked 
eye, and very clearly with the Achromatic. About this time 
(the therm. 61® 25') unsized paper, thickly smeared with 
pulverised gunpowder, and made very dry, could not be fired 
by the sun’s rays, collected to a focus by a powerful double 
convex lens. A gentleman in company thought he perceived it 
smell as if burning, but I could neither smell nor see any 
appearance of its doing so. Very soon after this, a black 
cloud again put a stop to our experiments and observations. 
* I annex a rude and hastily sketched drawing of the appearance, as correct as I 
am able to recollect it. An intelligent friend, whom I have seen since the eclipse 
took place, mentioned to me his having observed the same appearance (for about 
one minute) with a common telescope, with a smoked eye-glass. The appearance 
of the light streaks vanished as my friend was observing them. 1 think I observe<4 
them from 2^ to 3 minutes. 
The different hours noted in this paper are in Mean Time. The thermometer 
hung at about 20 inches distant from a north wall. 
