The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-30
The Grand Event Witnessed with
Flattering Results.
The Sites and LabOrs Of the
Observers in Japan.
IMPERIAL COMPLIMENTS TO DUB SCIENTISTS
The Theories OF the Suns Distance
Reviewed and Explained.
NAGAsAKY. Dec, 7, 1874.


hemisphere one was directed TO occupy such sta
ton in Japan upon the line Of telegraph, as gave
best promise OF fair weather. For the latter pur-
pose the commission obtained me teoro logical data
from several stations The chances seemed
nearly balanced, although 1t was evident that the
northern stations, say as far as Hakodadi, were
the less favorably situated. Moreover, II the other
considerations equal, IL was important 10
occupy a station whence direct telegraph commu-
nication could be had with Mladivostok, and with
Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Melbourne, &c.
With this purpose in view the chief OF the party
had discretion allowed him whether 20 occupy
NagasaKi, where the cables are landed, or some
point more favorably situated on account OF
weather, where the telegraph could connect with
the cable. Coming into the field month later than
he had expected the choice was cramped and Ma
gasaK chosen. Stations on the great inland sea Of
Japan were reported as blessed with more good
weather, but no reliable data could be obtained.
From ms experience in experimenting at great
elevations in the Sierra Nevada Of California for
astronomical purposes Professor Davidson was
anxious TO reach a station nearly 5000 feet above
the sea. Such elevations are not known TO exist
IN Southwestern Japan, ard even where noun.
talns 5000 1900 feet elevation exist IL would
require season. and large party TO cut roads
thereto.
Naaasaki IS situated on low contracted SPOT In
Jour miles long, north and south, and hall mile
In width, with fine, even bottom and good holding
ground Tor shipping 1t IS on the route between
Yokohama and Shanghai The surrounding coun-
try Is tossed up into sharp, abrupt hill-peaks
ranging from 500 to nearly 1000 feet elevation.
rhe latter very steep and covered with a heavy
growth OF chapparal.
The American party selected narrow, smooth
topped ridge OF $50 1eer elevation, one mile south
tA,.~
to open road to the summit where space was
made Tor the placing OF the different instruments.
As this station was good distance from the tele-
graph cable ONCE q second station for telegraph
longitude work was established near the caole
line and the work commenced with Wladivostok
early IN November. In order that Professor Hall
might leave there immediately AFTER the 9th and
not run any extra
RISK OF BEING FRoZEN IN
antil next May. This telegraph WORK was salts
Eactorily finished In about ten days. through the
great kindness Of Mr.. Thomas RUSSELL the man.
sger OF this Danish line, and Of Mr.. Carl Nelson.
the electrician or the company. After they had
examined the special apparatus OF the party Pro.
lessor Davidson was allowed to pace the nstru-
ments directly in the line, and thus AVOID the
personal error which necessarily existed IN
the Atlantic cable work. where the lash or
this cable work to WladivostoK the CLOCK did ITS
own work. From Wlad1vOStok a line OF Telegraph
when are strung twenty.seven Russian transit OF
Venus parties. Iney vii. determine the duerence
Of longitude between 81. petersburg aud Wiaa-
Vostok and thus Nagasak Al becomes connected for
longitude with Europe and America. Alter the
telegraph longitudes were hnsned this telegraph
longitude station and the transit OF Venus station
were injected geodctically-
The outfit OF the different American parties Is as
Identical as can be made 0y skilled workmen, al
IN eugh some Of the parties nave additional Insrru
ments. furnished by themselves or otner persons
Judging from the outnt the American Commas
sioners place more reliance upon the Photographic
results than upon the purely astronomical ooser-
NAMES OF THE NAGAsAkI OBSERVERS.
The organization oI the American party here is
Professor George Davidson United States Coast
Survey. Cbiei Astronomer. III charge OF transit OF
@. H. Tittmann United States Coast Survey,
Pirst Assistant Astronomer
w :. Edwards United states Coast Survey, Sec
pnd Assistant Astronomer.
;. X. oeioert. Cnlel photographer, from the
United States Treasury Department
ii. Enerton Lodge, civil engineer, Boston, First
Assistant Photographer.
r. q. Williams, Boston, Second Assistant Photo.
grapher.
Mr. Uyeno. OF Nagasaki, Third Assistant Pho
tograpuer
and the Caliornans claim IL as belonging TO their
coast, because professor Davidson mas been en-
twenty five years, and Is thoroughly Identified
tnerew.tn. Messrs. Ilttnann and Edwards are
also Attached 10 the Pacilc coast survey. After
specially came out the party Will be dispersed.
Mr.. Davidson. vita MS vile and two sons; Messrs.
SeIDert, Lodge and Williams continue westward,
the first under especial instructions OF the govern
ment. Messrs. lIttmann and Edwards return TO
California Tor their regular duties.
FRIENDLY AID FROM JAPANESE SCIENTISTS.
With tins party the Japanese nave sent several
Captain Yanagi, Chief OF the Bure au OF Hydrogra-
ply and esteemed one OF their most learned men,
menfs ana methods. Lieutenant Otomo,
Midshlpman Isono, OF the navy. and MI.
4. Magome, OF the Educational Depart
m
In December Professor David Murray, Chlef
Councillor OF the Educational Department, and Mr.
natekayama. Director OI the Imperial College,
olned the party at Nagasaki, the former to assist
In the WORK. All these officers have been directed
TO make special reports 10 the Emperor and their
during their stay In Japan the party has re-
ceived every attention and kindness IRON the
authorities IN all the departments and from the
people at large. Tue use OF tue telegraph line
from Nagasakl 20 Tokei was placed at the service
OF Professor Davidson lor scientific purposes, and
ne proposes TO determine toe difference OF longi.
tude between the Two cities ~ telegraph and
thus place rokei IN longitude connection with tue
capitals OF Europe and America.
special permission gwen to the party to
pass through any part Of the Empire, but the
time at their disposal prevented its being utilized
DESCRIPTION or THE SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS.
Inasmucn the astrunom cal aud the entire
scientific world are deeply Interested IN the ma
ture aud object OF the expeditions II may not
uninteresing TO speak OF the mechanical imple-
me0ts to he maze use OF In the prosecution Of tue
work. In the Astronomical work proper the
TRANSIT rrsrRuMENT
for the determination Of CLOCK corrections ana for
latitude; an oOject glass, two ana nalf inches
diameter, with prism Tor total reflection aOOut
twenty inches from tue oo|ect Rlass, oy which
means the image Is directed through one OF the
transit axis pIyots. Ihis ~ an oid idea reJuve.
mated It has certain advantages but more dis
aavantsges I his instrument also plays princi-
DaI part in the Placing OF the pioiograpn.c tele
scope as Will be explained.
THE EQUATORIAL INSTRUMENT
has an object glass OF ave incnes diameter, mace
by AVIAN Ciark " sons, CamDrldQeport. IL was
made only anu solely Tor tnIs and the transit oil
1882 ana, therefore, lacks the means OF nne adj
lustment OF post on. out Will accomplish whlt IL
was INTENDED Tor. Win TINS equatorial Is the d0u-
bic image micrometer OF AIRY, ny means o. whlch
mlcrometric measures Of the separation oil Tue
cusps OF tue sun csn be made WINE venus ~ on
the llmD OF the sun at ingress ard egfess; also
measures OF the distance apart OF the borders Ol
me sun ana OF Venus after she has entered snort
distance. these 10 be repeated NJ egress IN the
reverse oroer during the passage OF the planet
over the SUMS disk Professor Davidson Will make
macrometrlc measures Of the diameter OF Venus 70