557 
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, APRIL 16, 1893. 
the African and Brazilian stations respectively ; then a detailed description of the 
phenomena recorded, followed by a discussion of the method employed in dealing 
with the photographs. 
The spectrum of the corona and its possible variation, the wave-lengths and 
intensities of the prominence and chromospheric lines are next studied, and finally 
the loci of absorption in the sun’s atmosphere are considered. 
Much labour aud time have already been spent in dealing with the chemical part 
of the inquiry, and I have been driven to the conclusion that before the bearing of 
the eclipse observations on our knowledge of the spectrum of each chemical substance 
is given, much more inquiry must be undertaken (a) into the old observations, 
(6) into the spectrum of stars and nebulae, and (c) into certain questions for which 
new observations are necessary. 
This chemical part of the inquiry will, therefore, be set out in a future Memoir. 
II.—The African Station (Mr. Fowler’s Berort). 
Locality. 
The station selected in West Africa as offering the greatest facilities, combined with 
good chances of fine weather, was Fundium (or Foundiougne, as it is called by the 
French), on the Salum Biver. According to the Admiralty Chart, the village is in 
latitude 14° 3' N. and longitude 16° 30' W. It was, therefore, only about six miles 
south of the central line of eclipse. 
The expedition left Liverpool on the morning of March 18, 1893, by the British 
and African Company’s s.s. Teneriffe , and arrived at Bathurst, on the Gambia, on 
March 31. Instruments and observers were there transferred to H.M.S. Alecto, the 
special service gunboat on the West Coast of Africa, then in charge of Lieutenant- 
Commander Lang, B.N. Leaving Bathurst on April 2, the party proceeded to the 
selected station, arriving there on April 3. 
A very suitable site for the instruments was ottered by the Administrator, in the 
grounds surrounding his own house, and it was at once accepted as satisfying all 
requirements. It was quite close to one of the wharves, and had the advantage of 
being partially enclosed. Vegetation in the neighbourhood was very sparse, and an 
almost perfectly clear horizon was obtained. 
A neighbouring site was already occupied by M. Deslandres, of the Paris 
Observatory, when the British expedition arrived at Fundium. 
With the assistance of the officers and men of H.M.S Alecto, the instruments were 
taken ashore without delay, the concrete base was laid down, and the hut erected. 
By April 10 matters were sufficiently advanced to admit of full rehearsals with the 
remainder of the observers. 
Magnificent weather prevailed during the stay of the expedition at Fundium, so 
