The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-23

the unassistsd eye and noted the event. "Couds
passing interlered with the exactness or the de-
termination, but apparently clouds caused the
only uncertainty. Observer cannot form an esti-
mate OF the error of his notation" After the
with sunshade, tried 10 get measures OF the
cusps. but succeeded IN obtaining only three mi
croneleI teaulhgs win cusp, ialnt. Atthe iouIth
contact dense clouds. About four O'Clock rain
comm enced. During these observations was as
sisted oV Mr. TIT man. who noted the times for cusp
measures ana separation OF limbs. Master George
r. DAVIDSON ana Mrs. Davidson aided In recording
and at the chronograph. Alter NOTIFIED the Pho.
tographer 10 "commence,n the quick pictures
were run through, but no inclination OF Venus Is
exhibited. This was wnen l JAILED 10 get meas
ures.
SUCCESSFUL PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK.
When the sun came out sufficiently Tor me to Oh
serve, photographs were obtained with the planet
;nere was sun or clouds. or course, under such
circumstances, many plates show nothing what
tanned wnen there was an opening OF only min
ute or two Had there been q clear day the pho
tographlc operations were so consecutive That not
less than 400 plates could have been exposed our
ing the period OF the transit About ll6 plates
were actually exposed, ana probably one-han OF
them furnish as fair photographs az could be OBJ
tained under the circumstances ana with
collodlon hlms Mr. W. 5. Edwards remained
at the henostat throughout the day, to
direct 1t in case OF arrangement, &c. At dark
there was narrow break IN the rain clouds Tor
half an hour or more, and fortunately succeeded
In getting good set OF transit observations to
check the cnronOmeters. The night set IN thick
and rainy. Having been advised by the secretary
were low, and that the telegraph longitude work
hence to Melbourne was aDano oned, and that
must close operations and discharge the party as
soon as practicable, made my preparations &C
cordingly, put carried On our Photographic ooser-
vations, as instructed. for one week. The instru-
ments were dismOunted, and such as were
ordered home have been gotten ready Tor ship
mint. The rest fenaln In the United states naval
storebouse at Nagasaki as directed. The work OF
preparation ana observation mas given nae Jar
opportunity for judging OF the capacity OF the
instruments and methods, and the outfit and
personnel Or working; and might add my judg-
ment thereon. but 1t might be deemed uncalied
Tor Oy the commission, and, therefore, refrain.
TRIBUTE TO WORTHY COLAB0RERs.
On behalf OF the members OF my party | can
speak with the greatest freedom, because there
las been no jar, no want OF harmony, no shrink
ing from duty. All have faithfully and earnestly
eudeavored TO do their best for the success OF the
expedition and In sincere accsrd. And | cannot
close this report without expressing my gratitude
ana hearty thanks 10 the Japanese authorizes Tor
assisting our labors and intercourse WITH the peo-
pie Tor anording me the use OF the government
telegraph line hence 70 Ioke for teegra ph longl-
tude, and Tor their assigning officers OF rank and
position to accompany the expedition and report
upon its appearances and methods.
Very respectfully, your Obeoient servant.
GEORGE DAVIDSON,
United states Coast Survey, Chief United states
Transit OF Venus Party to Japan.