this line agrees in position with a bright line belonging to the spectrum of the terrestrial aurora; and that, so far as observation has yet gone, the spectrum of the corona contains no dark lines. We shall see that the observations made since the American eclipse confirm these results. The direct observations of the corona as seen during the American eclipse were numerous and important. Mr. W. S. Gilman, jun., from whose coloured drawing of the eclipsed Sun Plate VII. is taken, writes thus respecting the appearance of the corona:- The general outline of the corona was a trapezium, with the widest side to the south-east. There were also lesser projections on the four sides, as well as several small indentations. The longest masses of light coincided very nearly with the north and east points, at the middle of totality. Mr. Farrell also noticed the same peculiarity. The corona was composed of an infinitude of fine violet, mauve-coloured, white, and yellowish white rays, issuing from behind the Moon. I detected no clouds in it. The exterior edge was very jagged in appearance, but did not possess a harsh outline, having, on the contrary, a soft blurred look. This was quite contrary to my expectations, as, from all the drawings of eclipses I had ever seen, I was led to expect a welldefined and truly circular halo of light, extending to an equal distance on all sides. Mr. Farrell described the appearance of the corona verbally as follows: "It was a silvery-grey crown of light, and looked as if it was the product of countless fine jets of steam issuing A A |