An interesting experiment was made by the Faculty of Sciences of Montpellier, to ascertain the luminous intensity at the different periods of the eclipse. The means employed was the Daguerréotype. All the proofs gave a sufficiently defined image of the phenomenon to enable the members of the faculty to determine, by actual admeasurement, the relative apparent diameters of the sun and moon. At Toulouse, M. Flangerques not only noted down a fall in the temperature of 4° Centigrade during the eclipse, but also saw the mercury fall in the barometer. The mercury fell to thirty-one hundredths of millimetres below the height at which it would have stood if the difference of temperature had been the cause of the variation. This depression is, indeed, of itself unimportant, but it, nevertheless, shows a deviation from the normal action of the barometer; for it is known that this instrument usually goes on rising from the getting up of the sun until nine in the morning, when it attains its maximum.

M. Arago states, that during the latter period of the eclipse, he saw, on the edge of the black disc of the moon, a sort of protuberance of fire, two minutes in height, and presenting an appearance like that of the glaciers of the Alps illuminated by the setting sun. At Narbonne, the appearance was that of a distant light-house. Some members of the Academy have already thrown out the idea that this protuberance is a mountain of the sun rendered visible in the atmosphere of that body. The theory of Herschel is, that the sun, which is the source of light and heat to us, and which has been regarded as an incandescent body, is in reality dark and inhabitable. M. Arago, whilst he affirms that the protuberance which he observed is not of the moon-no such discovery having ever been made even with the most powerful telescopes-does not admit that it is a mountain of the sun: not that there is anything repugnant to the laws of science in supposing the existence of a mountain of the sun, 17,000 leagues height-or, according to M. Littrow's calculation of the extent of the protuberance, 50,000 for objects are only large or small comparatively; and Herschel has shown that the sun, by its prodigious mass, might have mountains even 120,000 leagues in height; but M. Arago's doubts are founded upon the diversity of opinions as to the character of this protuberance. This mountain, if it were one, would have presented a fixed projection, and the same angle to each of the observers, which was not the case. M. Arago, therefore, is disposed to regard the phenomenon as one of diffraction. It is proposed, however, to determine this point by experiments with artificial means on the summit of some high mountain. Another curious circumstance mentioned by M. Arago is the following:At about the middle of the eclipse, M. Arago was able to perceive the whole disc of the moon. What was the light which enabled him to do this? It could not be the ash-coloured light, (la lumière cendrée,) left by the eclipse, for that is exceedingly feeble. There is, in this fact, a mystery which is perhaps impenetrable in the present state of astronomical science.

The effect of the eclipse upon the population of Perpignan, who were watching it, is described by M. Arago as singular and even affecting. The gravest persons were unable to restrain expressions of joy when the sun re-appeared; and, whilst the eclipse lasted, anxiety was depicted on every countenance. The effect upon animals was remarkable. One of the friends of M. Arago had placed five healthy linnets in a cage. During the sudden darkness of the eclipse, three of the five died. The oxen formed into a circle, with their horns thrust forward, as if preparing for the attack of an enemy. At Montpellier, bats and owls left their retreats, and sheep laid down as for the night, and the horses in the fields were in a state of terror. In addition to these facts, it was stated to M. Arago, in the Academy, on the authority of M. Fraisse, a distinguished naturalist, that a swarm of ants in full march stopped short at the moment of occultation.-Galignani's Messenger; Athenæum, No. 775; somewhat abridged.

In the last-named journal also, is an extract from a private letter from Mr. Francis Baily, Vice-President of the Astronomical Society, giving an account of this superb phenomenon, as witnessed by himself at Pavia, over which town the line of central darkness exactly passed. At the moment when the total obscuration commenced, a brilliant crown of glory encircled the moon, like the "Aureola," which Catholic painters append to their saints. Suddenly, from the border of the black and labouring moon, thus singularly enshrined,

When first seen.

burst forth, at three distinct points, within the aureola, purple or lilac flames! visible to every eye. At this moment, from the whole assembled population of the town, a simultaneous and deafening shout broke forth. A similar manifestation of popular feeling is recorded at Milan, occasioned by the selfsame astonishing spectacle, accompanied in the latter instance with a general "Huzzah! vivent les astronomes The eclipse was also viewed from the Superga, near Turin, by our Astronomer-Royal, Mr. Airy, apparently under less favourable circumstances. We have yet heard of no astronomer witnessing from a great elevation in the Alps the shadow striding from peak to peak, or blotting in succession the fair fields of North Italy. Such an exhibition must have been, perhaps, the sublimest which the eye of man can ever witness as a mere physical phenomenon.

ECLIPSES IN 1843.

THIS year there will be three Eclipses-viz., two of the Sun and one of the Moon, of which only the latter will be visible in England. The first of these phenomena will be an annular eclipse of the sun, on Tuesday, the 27th of June, commencing at 20 minutes past 7 in the evening, and being visible chiefly in the Great Pacific Ocean and in South America. The second is a partial eclipse of the moon, in the night of Wednesday, the 6th of December, which will be visible in these parts, commencing at 18 minutes past 11, and when two digits of the lower disc of the moon will be eclipsed. The third and last is a total eclipse of the sun, early in the morning of Thursday, the 21st of December, aid invisible here; but visible in the Chinese empire, Hindostan, the Islands of Ceylon, Sumatra, Borneo, &c.-Times.

DR. ARMSTRONG, of South Lambeth, states, that on the 25th of February, P.M., the moon being full, and at an altidude of ten degrees, a brightly-illumined belt extended over her disc, in a direction perpendicular to the horizon. Its width, which exactly equalled the moon's apparent diameter, was uniform, and well defined from end to end;

Manner of Disappearance.

each being limited by a small cirro-stratus cloud. The higher portion of it measured in length three and a half such diameters, and the lower two. He was not fortunate enough to observe the manner of its formation; but it was too interesting a sight not to watch it intently till its disappearance. At eight o'clock, it began to shorten at its upper extremity. Its edge underwent no diminution in distinctness; but had an inclination of 45 degrees to the moon's horizontal diameter; and which it preserved without any perceptible variation, till the whole vanished. What struck Dr. Armstrong as very remarkable, was the perfect rectilinear uniformity of the belt itself, as well as the manner of its decrease; the inclination of its upper edge towards the horizon not varying in the smallest degree, but preserving its parallelism rigorously during its downward progress to the base. When very near it, however, the remnant, instead of shortening, dissolved. The time of its disappearing occupied about 40 seconds.-Communicated by Dr. Armstrong.

THE MOON AND JUPITER.

On the evening of September 20, the Moon was observed very near Jupiter, the conjunction in right ascension being between two and three o'clock in the afternoon. Between the parallels of 14 degrees north, and 54 degrees south latitude, the moon passed over the planet, producing an occultation. This planet had been occulted by the moon every time she had passed him during the year, excepting in the months of January and February.-Standard Newspaper, Sept. 23.

LUNAR RAINBOW.

On the stormy evening of Oct. 18th, this rare and interesting phenomenon was witnessed by some persons in passing over the Glass mountain, near Aberystwith. The arch appeared of equal dimensions, at least as to span with the solar bow, and also presented a similar variety of colours, only less vivid. From the peculiar position of the beholders, its circular figure was apparent; as more than a semicircle was actually visible, while the remainder might easily be traced by the mind's eye, through the bowels of the mountain. The illusion continued more than ten minutes, the full moon all the time shining with unveiled splendour in the clear east.—Welchman.

ASTRONOMICAL PUZZLE.

MR. GLAISHER, of the Cambridge Observatory, reports the following remarkable appearance on October 4: "At midnight, the sky had become perfectly clear, and the air frosty. At 21 m. after 12, I was much startled at what appeared a vivid flash of lightning, but, on turning to discover its direction, I saw a bright streak of light in Orion, about 20 degrees in length at the moment of discovery: its centre was as bright as Jupiter, and the light plainly emanated from it in quick flickering waves on each side simultaneously; and at each wave, the length and brightness decreased. This part of the phenomenon lasted ten seconds; I therefore had time to recover my

surprise, and perceive the working of it. When the waving ceased, there appeared to be a bright star in the place where I had seen the centre light of the streak; but whilst considering what star it might be, that I might note with accuracy the place of the phenomenon, I perceived that it gradually faded, and in about two minutes it entirely disappeared; having, unlike the generality of meteors, maintained the same position all this time. The line of direction of the streak made, with Orion's belt to the south-east, an angle of about 40 degrees; the centre light being three degrees north of the upper part of the belt, and in the same straight line with the three stars in it."-Norwich Mercury.

TERRIFIC STORM IN MADEIRA.

THIS island was visited by a tremendous storm, on the 15th of October, which continued till the night of the 26th. No such convulsion has happened in the island since the tremendous visitation of October, 1803, ever since known there by the emphatic name of "The Flood,"-when the houses of the town were carried out to sea, and 400 of the inhabitants drowned. The fury of the elements on the present occasion is said to have even exceeded that memorable tempest, though it is believed that the loss of life is far less.

WATERSPOUT.

ON Oct. 25, a Waterspout was seen in the neighbourhood of Ayr, in the afternoon. The snow, which had fallen copiously early in the day, had nearly ceased, but the mass of dark cloud was still sweeping along in a N. W. direction. It seemed to extend but a short distance seaward, but was very dense at its western limit, where it appeared very much agitated by eddies. The commotion of the elements became more distinct in consequence of the snow ceasing. A part of the snow-cloud approached the surface of the water, which then assumed a boiling aspect-appeared as if emitting steam-and rose vertically in various places. In one instance, the phenomenon referred to was distinctly formed. It appeared to rise from the surface of the water in the shape of a cone, communicating at its apex with an apparently aqueous column; ascending, perhaps, 100 feet. It expanded towards the top, so as to resemble an inverted cone placed upon an upright one. The shaft sometimes curved with the current, and then in a serpentine form. The appearance was visible about a minute. The direction of the wind immediately beyond could not be distinctly ascertained.-Ayr Advertiser.

CYCLE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS' SEASONS.

MR. LUKE HOWARD has read to the British Association, a paper "On the Cycle of Eighteen Years in the seasons of Britain." Mr. Howard has found that the seasons come round in a cycle of eighteen years; and that of these, in the first nine, beginning with 1824, warmth predominates; and in the last nine, ending with 1842, cold predominates. Out of the nine cold years we have just emerged. He has

constructed a thermometrical curve for the nine warm, and another for the nine cold, years; and he exhibited these in juxtaposition, and with a curve of the sun's declination. He has also projected similar curves for the rain during the whole eighteen years, on the average of each month; and he has found the total amount of the rain in the nine warm years 238.68 inches, averaging 21 inches per annum. In the nine cold years, it was 234.33 inches, averaging 26 inches per annum; so that there was, on the average, an excess of half an inch of rain per annum in the warm years. As to the distribution of rain in the warm years, as compared with the cold ones,-December, January, February, and March, were comparatively dry months; and then came a glut of rain in April-a distinguished characteristic of warm years and dry winter months, with rain in April, he regarded as a most favourable season for agriculture. Then, May was fine, (as to rain,) in both cases; and the rain was nearly the same in both cases, in June and July, rather more abundant, however, in cold than in warm years. In cold years, August was dry; and in warm years, wet. September was wet in warm, and dry in cold years; in October, the cold and warm years nearly agreed in quantity; November was rather wetter in cold than in warm years; and December was dry in warm years, and in cold years an exceedingly wet month.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT KEW.

THE use of the Royal Observatory, at Kew, having been granted to the British Association, they have voted the sum of 50l. to Prof. Wheatstone to construct an apparatus which shall record the operations of all meteorological instruments whatever. Amongst the instru ments forming this set of apparatus will be one for measuring the force and direction of the wind; this instrument may be sent up to different heights by captive balloons, secured at the required altitude; and thus, at a small expense, may be measured the variations of the wind at different heights above the surface, within 8,000 or 10,000 feet. Prof. Wheatstone also proposes to avail himself of the principle of his electro-magnetic telegraph, viz., the determination of the feeble electric current by the mere contact of the mercury in the tube with a fine platina wire, may be made a material recorder to register every half hour the varying indications of the barometer, the thermometer, and the synchrometer, (and probably the anemometer,) as accurately as the most careful observer would be able to do; and requiring only a few minutes' attention each day, to put it in order for 24 hours.

SOLAR SPOT.

ABOUT half-way between the eastern edge of the Sun's disc and its centre, a very beautiful dark spot was visible in January, travelling towards the right, accompanied by the usual luminous border; and might be distinctly seen, (when the atmosphere proved favourable,) with telescopes of moderate power, having the sight protected with a piece of dark coloured glass.-Blackburn Standard, Jan. 15.