breaks near the sun's place, and wider ones near the horizon, a condition of things which relieved Mr. Fowler from his spectroscopic determination of the beginning of the eclipse. Gradually everybody fell into their stations; the sketchers was clear that the 9-inch prismatic camera would in all probability not be employed. Still Dr. W. Lockyer stood by at the mirror to make final adjustments. A few minutes before totality, the delicate crescent was seen dimly through one of the breaks. I watched it in the 33-inch for a minute or two, but the clouds closed up before the commencement. I gave it a little time, and then gave the signal, "Go," in order especially to start the 6-inch prismatic camera, as the important ten FIG. 9.-The Camp on Kio Island, showing the Fiord and the Island and Land to the eastward. The time of the end of the eclipsed eclipse was also noted by Mr. Thomas, and the affair was over for most of us, although the colour observers and the meteorologists continued their notes till the fourth contact. Occurred shortly afterwards, the swoop of the shadow being almost felt. This instant was noted by Mr. Thomas amid a cry for lamps, especially from the timekeepers and some of the observers in the huts. And then an unexpected thing happened. Captain King Hall called his men together, and, in a few admirably chosen words, expressed to me the regret of the Volages that such an important attempt to advance knowledge FIG. 10.-The Eclipse Observers. Photograph taken by Mr. Fowler immediately the Eclipse was over. had been frustrated. In reply, I told him that I thought an almost more important thing than the observation of a single eclipse had been accomplished. He had demonstrated that with the minimum of help, and that chiefly in the matter of instruments, such a skilled and enthusiastic ship's company as his could be formed in a week into one of the most tremendous engines of astronomical research that the world has ever seen; so that if the elements had been kind, all previous records of work at one station would have been beaten. I added that I felt sure that the leaders of British science would thank him, his officers and men, for what they had done in aid of science when it came to be known, and further, that the kindness which the eclipse party had received on board the Volage had inspired a gratitude which it was not easy to express in words. The party subsequently fell in to be photographed by Lord Graham and Mr. Fowler; then away to the ship for breakfast, and a curtailed Church service. The repacking of the instruments was begun after break . 11. The 6-inch Hut, show ng Mr. Fowler and his Assistants at drill. fast, as the Volage was to rejoin the squadron the next day. Under these circumstances the Town Hall was left standing for the benefit of the friendly Lapps whose island we had invaded, but who seemed rather to enjoy our doings than otherwise. Talking of the Lapps, it would be interesting to know the Lapp mythology and folk-lore concerning eclipses. Immediately after totality, or rather so soon as it was light enough to render the channel separating Kiö from the island to the eastward clearly visible, we saw a large boat full of Lapps firing a feu de joie. The fact may be chronicled. I was all the more struck by it, as it seemed to be possibly connected with the Eastern custom to light fires to frighten away Rahoo, whose swallowing of the sun causes the eclipse. It seemed quite certain that the parties at Vadsö had fared no better than ourselves, and this was confirmed by the news brought by the Calypso's steam cutter in the afternoon. This cutter subsequently conveyed my son and myself to the Garonne, meeting her about a mile outside Kiö, and while the island was being rapidly left astern, full particulars were told me of all the camps which many of my shipmates had visited after the eclipse. chapter of accidents and the public spirit of Sir George BadenPowell, who took a party there in his yacht Otaria. In this party was Mr.Shackleton, one of the assistants in the Solar Physics Observatory, who did such good work during the eclipse of 1893 in Brazil, and who, as already stated in NATURE, was hurriedly equipped after the larger eclipse instruments had been sent off. It is on his results that I wish here to say a few words. I am sorry to say he is too unwell to give an account himself of his doings, but I have gathered from an article in the Yorkshire Daily Post that the voyage itself was by no means uneventful. He left home on July 7, and joined the Otaria at Hammerfest, whence, after touching at Vardö, the party sailed for Novaya Zemlya, making for the Samoyede settlement of Karmakul, in the southern island. The intention was, after meeting some Russian astronomers, and obtaining information as to the navigation, to take up a point of observation some ten miles further south, in Gooseland, on the central line of the shadow-path. Although the party had not a very good chart- no trustworthy ones of these remote regions being publishedthey got into the bay on Bank Holiday Monday, and were going at a good speed-about ten knots-when the vessel gave three bounds and stood still, heeling over on her side. The account continues: "Everybody hung on to something, for it was impossible to stand. Fortunately, however, the reef was only of soft rock, and it did little damage to the ship; only for four days we remained like that, about a mile away from the nearest land. We could not walk except by holding on to ropes, and had to get our meals on our knees or on the floor with cushions. After four days' hard work the sailors nearly emptied her, and pumped out all the drinking-water, and then at a high tide pulled her off." It appears that A "The mishap arose from a little want of familiarity with the Russian cartography of these parts, which is naturally better than ours. It turned out that the soundings of the deeper portions were, so to say, in fathoms and the shallower in feet." few of the deeper soundings having been verified by the lead, the rest were taken for granted, with the unpleasant result already detailed." Still, in spite of this mishap, everybody working with a will, things were more or less ship-shape on the eclipse morning. There had not been many opportunities of adjustment, but, not unmindful of possibilities, I had taken the precaution of having every portion of the more important instruments adjusted, and each adjustment plainly marked before I sent it off. Mr. Shackleton obtained twenty-one photographs with the prismatic camera, thirteen during totality, and five of the corona. I have already enlarged and begun to discuss these photographs, and I have seen enough already to be able to say that in my opinion the results obtained are of the highest possible value. In fact, we may almost say that the long talked of "flash" has at last been photographed. This brings a test to apply to contending theories, and there will be a good deal to be written about it later on. It is not too much to say that "the winter of our discontent" at Kiö is turned into "glorious summer" by the sun of Novaya Zemlya! I must not forget to add that the photographs of the corona, though they are of much lower value from the theoretical point of view, will be very useful in enabling the change in the appearances of the corona from eclipse to eclipse in relation to the sun-spot period, to be chronicled. National Anthem, and making other demonstrations in his honour. This was on Tuesday, the 18th. Mrs. Nansen arrived by express steamer, and the Doctor was very anxious to see her again. When she arrived there was an affecting scene. The reunion proved too much for the feelings of the faithful wife, who fainted away, and did not recover consciousness for a considerable time. Then came redoubled rejoicings. The people of Hammerfest were too much delighted to leave their countryman much opportunity of private happiness, and made a feast in the public hall. Dr. Nansen was very anxious about the Fram, though he felt quite confident that she would be coming in. 'It is only,' said he, 'a question of a week or two,' but at the same time he appeared disappointed that she had not preceded him. Our yacht took Nansen on to Tromsö, but I left her at Hammerfest to return by express steamer. The Fram, as you will have seen from the papers, turned in near Tromsö. When our steamer reached Tromso the people there were very much disappointed that we had not brought Nansen back with us. At Bodö we learnt of the receipt of a telegram announcing that the Fram had returned, but at first were inclined to treat the news as a joke. It, however, turned out to be correct; so for the second time we hoisted all our flags and bunting in honour of the Arctic exploring party." The Yorkshire Daily Post states that Dr. Stone, who also accompanied Sir George Baden-Powell, has obtained some photographs of spectra. I must be permitted one other extract from Mr. Shackleton's statement, as it indicates the success of Sir George Baden-Powell's cruise in another direction, and is interesting as an account by an eye-witness of a most interesting event. "After the eclipse we were busy repacking and getting all on board again. Our intention had been to go to the northern island to see about the safety of some stores which had been left there for Dr. Nansen, but we found it prudent to make direct for Hammerfest. Some of the Russian astronomers were about to make the attempt to cross Novaya Zemlya by means of dogs and sledges.. "At Hammerfest, on our return, we heard that Dr. Nansen had arrived outside, and as the steamship Thor came in and dropped anchor alongside, the intrepid explorer recognised Sir George, whom he knew well, and halloed, 'Hallo, BadenPowell, is that you? I did'nt expect to see you here.' Our cutter was out, and at once Sir George was rowed off to the Thor. Dr. Nansen returned with him immediately, to the disappointment of the Norwegians, who were playing their Mr. Shackleton is loud in his acknowledgment of the kindness shown him by Sir George and Lady BadenPowell, and they may, I think, rest assured that the scientific public of these islands, to speak of no wider territory, are grateful to them for their efforts in the cause of science. J. NORMAN LOCKYER. NOTES. THE Sanitary Institute has been holding its Congress at Newcastle-on-Tyne during the past week, and has got through a great deal of work. The Congress was opened on September 2 by the Duke of Cambridge, as President of the Sanitary Institute, after which the inaugural address was delivered by Earl Percy, the President of the Congress. THE steam-yacht Windward, with four members of Mr. Jackson's expedition on board, arrived in the Thames on Saturday. The yacht was the bearer of a voluminous mail from the leader of the expedition, some valuable maps, and several cases of scientific collections. The returned explorers, as was to be expected, had a narrative of the highest interest to relate; but as this has been very fully reported by the daily press, we need do no more than report that Mr. Jackson has been able to confirm some of the more important discoveries of last year, and to produce a map of Franz Josef Land, which for the first time lays down with approximate accuracy its geographical outline, and at the same time entirely alters the previous records. Valuable botanical discoveries are reported to have been made, and numerous photographs taken of birds and beasts of the country in their native habitat and under ordinary conditions. THE fungus foray of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, which has now been for several years an annual event, is to take place this year at Selby, from which as a centre excursions are to be made to various woods in the East and West Ridings, on September 19, 20, 21, and 22; the members of the party meeting each evening at the "Londesborough Arms," to compare notes and arrange the fungi gathered. On Monday evening, September 21, a conference will be held, at which papers will be read by Rev. Canon Du Port, Mr. George Massee, Mr. Carleton Rea, and Mr. Harold Wager, and in illustration of their remarks a lantern will be provided by Mr. W. Norwood Cheesman. Mr. A. Clarke will exhibit a number of stereoscopic photographs of Mycologists fungi, and microscopes will also be provided. who may wish to attend will be heartily welcomed, and circulars will be sent on application to Mr. W. Denison Roe AFTER an absence of rather more than two years, Dr. Forsyth Major has returned to England from his scientific mission to Madagascar. His task was a very difficult one to perform, in consequence of the unsettled state of the country at the time of his visit, but Dr. Major seems to have succeeded in doing buck, Sunnybank, Leeds, or to Mr. W. Norwood Cheesman, some solid scientific work. The explorer's collections have been deposited in the Natural History Museum, and include many specimens of pyornis bones from the marshes at Sirabé, and an extensive series of skins representing the recent fauna of the island. A fine collection of specimens of the flora of Madagascar, including four orchids reported to be new to science, has also been made. DR. W. R. GOWERS will deliver the Bradshaw Lecture at the Royal College of Physicians on November 5. The title of the lecture will be "Subjective Sensations of Sound." The Lumleian lecturer for next year is to be Dr. Bastian, and Dr. Luff will be the Gulstonian lecturer. Prof. Sidney Martin is to deliver the Croonian Lecture in 1898. ACCORDING to information brought by the steamer Quiraing, a severe earthquake (the severest since 1784, it is said) occurred in Iceland on the evening of August 26 and the following morning. Many farms at Hrepp, on the east coast of Iceland, two churches, and nearly all the farms in Hollum, Laudi, Kangaullum, Hollkrapp and Fgolshlid were destroyed, and sheep and cattle killed. Reykjavik, Bargarfjord and Hrulafjord suffered slightly. No lives seem to have been lost. The centre of the disturbance was apparently Hecla, where an eruption appeared imminent. A REUTER telegram of September 2, from Yokohama, reported a disastrous earthquake in the north-east provinces of Japan on the evening of August 31. The town of Rokugo was entirely destroyed, and other towns were severely damaged. Many lives were lost. On the same day extensive damage was done in the southern parts of Japan by a typhoon. THE death is announced of Mr. R. W. R. Birch, a hydraulic and sanitary engineer of repute. Mr. Birch had been for many years a member of the Council of the Sanitary Institute, and of the Royal Meteorological Society. NEWS has come from Annemasse (Haute Savoie) of the death of M. Henri Aimé Résal, the mining engineer. M. Résal, who was the author of numerous books on mining mechanics, was a member of the Academy of Sciences, editor of the Journal des Mathématiques Pures et Appliquées, and President of the Société Mathématique de France. He was born in 1828. THE death is recorded, at the age of seventy-three, of Prof. Egli, the geographer, who is perhaps best known for the "Nomina Geographica" which he edited. THE new Gatty Marine Laboratory at St. Andrews, intended to replace the wooden structure in which Prof. McIntosh has worked for the past ten years, is to be formally opened on October 8. Its more noticeable features will be a tank-room 30 feet square, and a research-room of the same dimensions. The latter is being fitted to accommodate six workers. The Crescent, Selby. A BLOCK of granite bearing the following inscription has, says the Academy, been recently placed on the southern shore of the Lake of Sils in the Engadine :-" In memory of the illustrious English writer and naturalist, Thomas Henry Huxley, who spent many summers at the Kursaal Hotel, Maloja." It is announced that the Royal Society of Canada has resolved to commemorate the five-hundredth anniversary of the first landing of Cabot in North America by holding a meeting at Halifax from June 20 to 26 of next year, and to erect, at a cost of not less than £200, a monument at Sydney in Cape Breton. NOTICE is given in the current number of the Journal of the Society of Arts of two prizes offered by the Society. One is the "Fothergill" of £25 and a silver medal, for a paper on "the best means of effectually preventing the leakage of current to earth in electrical installations from generating heat and setting buildings on fire." The paper should consist of about eight thousand words, and be written with a view to being read and discussed at an ordinary meeting of the Society. Papers submitted for the prize must reach the Secretary by October I of this year. Each paper must be type-written, and bear a motto, the name of the writer being enclosed in a sealed envelope with a similar motto. The other prize announced is a gold medal and the sum of £20, and is to be bestowed, under the terms of the Benjamin Shaw Trust, "for any discovery, invention, or newly-devised method for obviating or materially diminishing any risk to life, limb, or health, incidental to any industrial occupation, and not previously capable of being so obviated or diminished by any known and practically available means." Descriptions of the inventions of intending competitors must reach the Secretary of the Society of Arts not later than December 31, 1896. THE Sanitary Institute has just issued a list of its twenty. second course of lectures and demonstrations for sanitary officers and students. The course, which is to be commenced on Monday, September 28, by a lecture, by Mr. Wynter Blyth, on "The Education, Status, and Emoluments of Sanitary Inspectors," has been arranged for the special instruction of those desirous of obtaining knowledge of the duties of sanitary officers, and of others desirous of obtaining a practical knowledge of sanitary requirements and regulations. The lectures will be delivered at the Sanitary Institute, London, and the introductory lecture is to be free. CAPTAIN ROBERTSON, of the Dundee whaling vessel Active, which has just returned from a voyage to the Arctic regions, has, says the Times, forwarded to Mr. Dickson, of Oxford, the result of certain observations made, at the request of the latter, during the cruise, together with samples of the water through which the Active sailed. The observations were taken with a view to |