Of the total eclipses which have of late years been systematically observed, that of July 18, 1860, is by far the most interesting and important: it owes its interest to the agreeable circumstances connected with it, hereafter to be more fully spoken of, and its importance, to the very extensive and refined observations which were made by so many astronomers in America, Europe, and Africa.

Our limits wholly forbid our entering into any very lengthened statement: we shall therefore select from the published accounts of the observations, such portions as we deem most fitted to be placed on record in a work like the present, prefacing them by a brief epitome of the general circumstances attending “ the Himalaya Expedition.”

On Nov. 15, 1859, the Astronomer Royal, in an interview with the Duke of Somerset, First Lord of the Admiralty, drew his Grace's attention to the then approaching eclipse, at the same time suggesting the desirability of a ship being appropriated for the conveyance of observers to and from the coast of Spain. After the request was duly considered, Her Majesty's Government volunteered to place at the disposal of the Astronomer Royal and his friends, H.M.S. “ Himalaya”; the offer was of course gratefully accepted, and in due course of time the expedition set forth.