[ <25 ] 
XII. Spectroscopic Observations of the Sun. — No. II. By J. Norman Lockyer. 
Communicated by Dr. Sharpey, Sec. B.S. 
Received November 19, — Read November 19 and 26, 1868. 
Preliminary BemarJcs. 
In my first paper under the above title, kindly communicated by Dr. Sharpey to the 
Eoyal Society in 1866*, was contained an account of the determination of the nature of 
Sun-spots by means of the spectroscope. The paper concluded as follows : — 
“ May not the spectroscope afford us evidence of the existence of the ‘ red-flames ’ 
which total eclipses have revealed to us in the sun’s atmosphere, although they escape 
all other methods of observation at other times 1 and if so, may we not learn something 
from this of the recent outburst of the star in Corona \ ” 
Before the paper was written I had diligently swept round the solar disk in search of 
evidence of the red flames, but without result. This want of success I attributed to the 
excessive brilliancy of the spectrum of the circumsolar regions in the field of view of the 
instrument employed. I found in fact (although I did not discontinue my efforts) that 
both for these observations and for those on sun-spots more dispersion was necessary ; in 
one case to weaken the atmospheric light, in the other to widen the spectrum. 
I therefore represented my requirements to the Government- Grant Committee, and 
was at once supplied with funds to procure a spectroscope of the requisite dispersive 
power. 
The construction of this instrument was commenced in the beginning of 1867 by 
Mr. Cooke, on a plan which had been arranged between us, but unfortunately it was 
never finished. Mr. Cooke’s health was then already failing, and at last, at the end of 
the year, he begged me to consider the order cancelled. Under these circumstances, at 
the beginning of the present year I sought the assistance of Mr. Browning ; but the 
construction was further delayed, partly on account of an illness which necessitated my 
absence from England. At last the instrument, which reflects great credit on 
Mr. Browning’s skill, arrived on the 16th of October, 1868, not quite complete, but in 
a condition which enabled me to commence work. 
I mention these facts, first to account for my apparent inaction, and secondly in order 
that the coincidence in time of my results with those obtained by the observers of the 
recent eclipse may not be misinterpreted f. 
* Proceedings of the Royal Society, vol. xv. p. 256. 
f October 11, 1869. — It is important that I should be allowed further to emphasize this remark, for M. Pave, 
who was unaware of the date on which my new Spectroscope was received, has stated (Comptes Rendus, t. lxvii. 
(1868), p. 840), “ L’insucces des tentatives premieres de M. Norman Locxyee (il est aise de s’en rendre compte 
MDCCCLXIX. 
6 L 
