II. Some particulars of the transit of Venus across the Sun, December 9, 1874, observed on the Himalaya Mountains, Mussoorie, at May-Villa Station, Lat. 30° 28′ N., long. 78° 3′. E., height above sea 6765 feet

Naturally sharing in the great interest excited by the transit of Venus, which occurred this forenoon, I proposed that I should observe the event with the equatoreal of the Royal Society, which Capt. J. Herschel, R. E., in his absence from India, had temporarily placed at my disposal; and the project meeting with liberal support from Col. J. T. Walker, R. E., Superintendent, Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, I was enabled, through his kindness, to provide myself with four chronometers, a good altazimuth, a barometer, thermometers, and other articles of equipment necessary for the undertaking. My especial object in view was to observe the transit froma considerable height ; and this condition was easily secured through the circumstance that I was located only 14 miles from Mussoorie, on the Himalaya Mountains. No doubt a station on these mountains would be very liable to an envelope of mist and cloud at the time of year in question; but, on the other hand, were really good weather to prevail, I should enjoy the advantages of an exquisitely clear atmosphere, such as I have never experienced save on the Himalayas.