46 MR BAIRD ON THE AURORA BOREALIS. 



more importance, dusted them, especially their hats, with flour. Like 

 the laurel wreaths of other regions, this marked them out for the gaze of 

 their fellow-townsmen. 



In this way the three balls are played for successively. The person 

 who succeeds in kirking or in milling such are the phrases the first 

 or golden ball, receives from the ball-men a reward of Is. 6d., for the se- 

 cond Is., and for the third 6d. 



I have no means of ascertaining the antiquity of this practice. The 

 oldest inhabitants tell us that, ever since they recollect, it has been fall- 

 ing off. It seems indeed at one time to have been engaged in with 

 much greater spirit. Whoever did not play was marked, and the inha- 

 bitants not unusually assembled next day to inflict punishment. They 

 dragged him forth carried him down to the cross, and, as is said, 

 knocked him against it. When one thinks of the population, leaving for 

 one day their laborious occupations, and entering with spirit into the 

 excitements of this game, he would be a stern moralist who would for- 

 bid them the enjoyment. But every picture has its darker shades. The 

 evening was generally spent in dancing and drinking. It was remarked 

 too, that if any private quarrels had arisen, they were one way or other 

 settled and set at rest on Pastern's E'en. 



On the Aurora Borealis. By Mr WILLIAM BAIRD. 



IN the winter season of the year, when botany can no longer afford its 

 usual animating enjoyments to the lovers of flowers ; when the birds, 

 which made our summer groves vocal with their music, are silent, and 

 seldom to be met with by the ornithologist ; when the greater part of 

 animated nature, in short, is either dead, torpid, retired to their holes 

 and caves for shelter from the severity of the weather, or seeking by a 

 rapid flight new summers in a warmer clime ; when even the few pur- 

 suits which the botanist or zoologist have still within their reach, are 

 further interrupted by the inclemency of the season, " vapours, and 

 clouds, and storms," or by the shortness of the days, " which driving 

 sleets deform," the meteorologist can still find full employment for his 

 powers of observation. The storms and blasts of winter all contribute 

 materials for his peculiar studies. Pleased; he 



*' Hears the winds roar, and the big torrent burst, 

 Or sees the deep fermenting tempest brew'd 

 In the grim evening sky." 



The ever varying state of the clouds afford him constant amusement, 

 whilst he derives great delight and satisfaction in watching, by means of 

 the barometer or sympiesometer, the frequent changes in the pressure 

 and density of the atmosphere. Many meteorological phenomena of a 



