The object of this communication is to discuss the evidence afforded by various observations of the eclipse which occurred on the 28th July 1851, as to the nature of the rose-coloured prominences which are seen round the moon during the total phase of solar eclipses.

In order to render the inquiry into the nature of the red prominences as complete as possible, the author has not confined himself to the consideration of such hypotheses only as have been formally stated regarding them; but has also included in his examination such other views as he thought might probably be entertained regarding those remarkable objects.