TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, JANUARY 22, 1898. 155 
Department, who was on the spot in charge of some most excellent masons and 
carpenters, j)icked men from Ratnagiri as we later ascertained, and plenty of 
material for the construction of the necessary concrete bases and huts. It was 
important to erect the huts as soon as possible, not only to shelter the instruments, 
but also the observers, from the sun. Several screens were made which could be moved 
and placed in any required position ; these were found to be invaluable while the 
instruments were being erected. A considerable number of coolies was also present 
to do such work as carrying packing-cases, sawing wood, clearing the camp, &c. 
In the fort nns also a police guard sent from Ratnagiri. The camp was watched, 
both by day and night, so effectively by them that no damage to any instrument 
was reported. 
On the arrival of the “ Melpomene ” at Viziadrug, Mr. Bomaxji came on hoard to 
report the arrangements which had been made for the expedition by the Govern¬ 
ment of India. As these were not quite completed, it was necessary for the first 
few days to return to the ship every evening, hut afterwards Mr. Fowler, 
Dr. Lockyer, and myself took up our quarters at the Dak bungalow inside the 
fort, close to the instruments. Meals were })rovided at the Collector’s camp, which 
was also inside the fort. 
A party was landed at the fort on the afternoon of our arrival to inspect the site 
suggested by Mr. Bomanji, and it was at once evident that it would satisfy all 
requirements, provided the fluctuations of temperature of the great masses of 
inasomy comjDosing the fort had no disturbing influence on the steadiness of the 
air. In order to investigate this point a 3f-inch telescope was erected, and observa¬ 
tions of the surrounding landscape, and, at dusk, of various stars, were made, from 
which it appeared that the atmosphere was sufficiently steady for the observations. 
Next morning the instruments were landed and the concrete bases for them were 
commenced. The erection of the huts was also begun by the native workmen, and 
continued without intermission. 
The instruments were set up as soon as their bases were ready, and by the end 
of a week all were practically in readiness for the eclipse. Constant clear skies 
enabled all the adjustments to be made without difficulty. 
A plan of the fort showing the arrangement of the instruments is given in 
Plate 4. 
During the week preceding the eclipse the adjustments were frequently tested, 
and a complete system of drills was established. 
As the number of volunteers was so large, I pointed out to Captain Batten, who 
had volunteered to aid in a special lirancli of the work, the imjiortance of his 
taking charge of the whole camp and giving all the necessary orders for conducting 
the operations during the general rehearsals, and the eclipse itself He eventually 
agreed to this, and the procedure and time signals were arranged between us. 
The development of the photographic plates was commenced immediately after 
X 2 
