assigned to him, and he was drilled to attend to that and nothing
else. Improved instruments were put into his [Page 82] hands, so
that the sun was made to do his own drawing and give his own picture
at consecutive instants. Fig. 33 is a copy of a photograph of the
corona of 1878, by Mr. Henry Draper. It showed much less
changeability that year than common, it being very near the time of
least sun-spot. The previous picture was taken near the time of
maximum sun-spot.

[Illustration: Fig. 32.--The Corona in 1858, Brazil.]

It was then settled that the corona consists of reflected light,
sent to us from dust particles or meteoroids swirling in the vast
seas, giving new densities and [Page 83] rarities, and hence this
changeful light. Whether they are there by constant projection, and
fall again to the sun, or are held by electric influence, or by
force of orbital revolution, we do not know. That the corona cannot
be in any sense an atmosphere of any continuous gas, is seen from
the fact that the comet of 1843, passing within 93,000 miles of the
body of the sun, was not burned out of existence as a comet, nor in
any perceptible degree retarded in its motion. If the sun's diameter
is to include the corona, it will be from 1,260,000 to 1,460,000
miles.

[Illustration: Fig. 33.--The Corolla in 1878, Colorado.]
[Page 84] Come closer still. At the instant of the totality of the
eclipse red flames of most fantastic shape play along the edge of
the moon's disk. They can be seen at any time by the use of a
proper telescope with a spectroscope attached. I have seen them
with great distinctness and brilliancy with the excellent