The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-08-14
THE LATE SOLAR ECLIPSE

dent of the Coast Survey' TO suPeFlnten
and take observations of the recent ar;nsa
Newport on their return on Tuesday afternoon "
| The officers of the expedition We're: prorasso,
Alexander, of Princeton College; Prof. barnard
OF the University of Mississippi; Prof Venable, o
South Carolina; Prof. Lieber, of South Carolina
Prof Smith, of Maryland; NJ. Duchochowd ant
Mr.. Thompson, photographers; Mr.. Walker ant
MIR. Goodfellow, of the U. S. Coast Survey. Th
party nave had stormy return voyage, and SOM
narrow escapes but it is stated that they have ac
complished the purpose for which the voyage wal
undertaken in successful manner. Having arri
Ved at Newport just before the close of the annual
session OF the American Scientific Association
Professor Alexander appeared in that enlightened
pouy on the last day of its session and gave an ac
count OF the expedition
lie commenced by saying that he was overcome
W lnG klnuly reception which greeted him the mo-
monumental desolation of the scene which he had
witnessed, this sudden introduction to the midst
OF friends and social intercourse was most affecting
Nthout beginning with an apology he simply al.
luded to those circumstances to explain what want
OF unity of ideas he might manifest in his remarks
Never in his widest dreams had he conceived of
scenes OF such wild grandeur and desolation as
greeted them as they approached their final desti-
nation nation. Inc shore was skirted with an almost un-
broken range of mountains, seeming like cast.iron.
Ihey were beyond arborescent vegetation and but
Httle except moses grew anywhere. Along the
pase OF the mountain chain towards the sea lay a
uanN vi mist IL was necessary to get on the oppo-
slte ST. side TO be free from danger from this source
Inc difficulties seemed to be very great sort of
terrace on the western side of the range was found
which promised to be suitable; hither with preat
dlhculty we transported ourselves and our instru
ments, ~ '''"
The weather, when clear, was verv clear but
lasted never more than two days. The dav we had
looked forward to with great anxiety was
stll we could see the disc of the sun; the clouds
served our eyes for colored glass screens Thn
interesting results of our observations are:
L. The moon broke the curve of the sun with an
enormous rough edge.
z A phenomenon which was the first to notice
some years ago, viz: a belt of LIGHT around the
moon, brighter than any other part of the sun,
3. An appearance, which but one of our party
saw, which was observed in 1920 and once later.
and has been called an optical deusion, but which
lhe Photogrdphtc plate no'o had not forgotten to
record. record. Thus 1t was real, and not optical The
phenomenon in question was blush h1ht on the
the sun. So Pi"Je0'e" on
l1ese tnree results Professor A. considered as
amply Justifylng the expenses of the expedition
As the eclipse progressed, and when tbara ro,
only bit of ragged, intensely brilliant silver wir
OF the suns disc left, it seemed as if the snn was
melting away and dropping point by point, till in a
minute all was gone During tOtality the sky was
overspread with the most beautiful colors. We
saw through the deepening mist, Just as the last
fragment of the suns disc melted away, a SINGLE
blush OF the corona, but it was white, and no red
prominences were visible.
On shipboard they were more fortunate Dur-
ing the totality, momentary rift in the clouds
revealed the spectacle to the sailors They saw
the corona and described it precisely as they had
READ a description IN an astronomical work. The
drawing taken from their statements he considered
In every sense reliable 1t exhibits the corona with
unequal shoots of light.
DR.. +. A. p Barnard member of the exnedi
tion gave few results which are very interesting
The phenomenon known as "Baily's beads,' W "a
ia Sts nf
dots OF light, like string of beads which immedi-
ately succeeds total obscuration He attributed
10 them similar cause which is assigned for mirdqe
The passage of the shadow created the same inc
quailty OF density In the atmosphere as that which,
on the principle OF retraction, produces mirage
Or. Is. stated some interesting facts connected
with the voyage. His ideas of iceberes were en-
hrely corrected. He had no conception of their
four hundred feet in height. This, too was in lat
ltude 81 off the coast of Belle Isle Other re-
markable features of these high lattudes were
great number and brilliancy of auroras and great
disturbances OF the magnetic needle. What was
quite as remarkable, too, the latter became quiet
during the totaty of the eclipse. The almost total
absence of animal life, with the exception of mus
quitoes, was also remarked
RECAPITULATIoN OF NATIONAL APPROXIMATIONS
The following table will exhibit recapituIation
OF the appropriations made by Congress, during
the hrst session of the Thirty six Congress:
Legislative, executive, judicial civil ard
miscellaneous ....................S13,12 ,129 1862 7;
Ibi ioLatlc anu consular: 1,15S,3S0 OF
Indian Department revolutionary invalid
and other pensions: ;...... 3,427 22s q
military roads ..................... Is 476 982 O.
SavaI servlce.... 1046I O3O o.
Post otnce for 1850 .............. 24,757, 1872 9S
Fost ohces for lo6l.................. 1924 022 II
s7,434 SO3 7.
The Post Office appropriation for the year 1861
embraces double appropriation for S3, ,126 1924 foi
the same object; one being an appropriation out o
any money in the treasury, and contingent upor
the insniiri"nry nf tho rAvenues of the Post Ofc,
Department, out of which the other appropriated
to meet the same. The Post Office appropriation
for the year 1861 embraces double appropriation
for S5,O07 424.75 for the object; one being al
appropriation out of any money in the treasury
and contingent upon the insufficiency of the reve
nues of the Post Office Department, out of which
the other is appropriated to meet the same.