of Edinburgh, Session 1870 - 71 . 
299 
nations in its patronage of science. Yet what has happened within 
the last six weeks? A remarkable eclipse of the sun, to take place 
on the 22d of this month, had been looked forward to by astro¬ 
nomers as affording an excellent opportunity for solving many 
important questions regarding the constitution of that great orb 
on which all living things in our planet, and in other planets also, 
depend; but, for the proper observation of which eclipse, expedi¬ 
tions were necessary, requiring much previous preparation and 
great expense. The United States G-overnment, even eight 
months ago, began preparations, a sum of L.6400 having been 
unanimously voted by Congress,* and a (Government officer 
despatched to visit Spain and Sicily, to find proper places of 
observation, and to make suitable arrangements for the recep¬ 
tion of a party of astronomers. A ship of the United States 
navy was appointed to convey them, accompanied by two eminent 
engineer officers, representing the Government, to take a general 
charge. 
In England what were the arrangements for this interesting- 
astronomical phenomenon ? Early last spring, on the suggestion 
of the Astronomer Royal, a committee was formed, consisting of 
himself and the Presidents of the Royal Astronomical Society, 
and of the Royal Society of London, to organise an expedition. A 
party of astronomers soon volunteered, about sixty in number, 
who were to be divided into two parties, one for Spain and another 
for Sicily, each subdivided into sections, to make different kinds 
of observations, with suitable instruments. As total obscuration 
would last only two minutes, the more that the work could be 
* The following appropriations, under the head of Astronomy and Meteoro¬ 
logy, were made by Congress, as given in “ Nature Jan. 26, 1871 :— 
Observations of Eclipse, Dec. 1870, under Coast Survey, 29,000 dols. 
U. S. Nautical Almanac, .... 20,000 „ 
National Observatory, ..... 19.800 ,. 
New Telescope for do , . . . . . 50,000 ,, 
Telegraphic Notices of Storms, . . . 50,000 „ 
In the same Congress there were additional appropriations to the amount of 
no less than 1,877,766 dollars, for the support of Museums, Botanic Gardens, 
Mining Statistics, Polar Explorations, Surveys, and other objects of a scien¬ 
tific nature. These appropriations, be it observed, were by the Federal 
Government. Similar appropriations, but larger altogether in amount, are 
made by the different States in aid of their own societies. 
