of sun, yet if the locality in question were one likely to be obscured by clouds it would be somewhat improvident to despatch an expedition to a place where the chances of success would be so greatly jeopardised.
Perhaps the most elaborate study of the meteorological conditions bearing on the question was contained in a paper contributed by Prof. David P. Todd to the Meteorological Journal. In this he has brought together a mass of information collected from divers authentic sources. The inhabitants of Chili were able to report that the observations of any celestial phenomena which take place in April are almost certain to be made in a cloudless sky. Indeed it appears that in the mountainous regions of that favoured climate the atmospheric conditions are almost ideally perfect for the purposes of the astronomer. The course of the shadow then lay through Argentina, where the residents assure us that April is the best month of the year for clear atmospheres and light skies, and that it could only be through some exceptional misfortune that the observers would meet with disappointment. In Paraguay, which the shadow next traversed, it seems that meteorological zeal has not yet been kindled. No accurate information as to the clouds or weather to be expected in April was forthcoming in response to Mr. Todd's urgent inquiries. In despair of being able to offer climatic inducements to the expedition he expressed a hope that any eclipse party despatched thither might include zealous naturalists. The attractions offered by pumas, jaguars, cobras and cross vipers in abundance might in that case suffice to "offset the possible loss of the corona to the astronomer." But it may well be doubted whether the enthusiasm of the astronomer, who studies with much
