THE AURORA AUSTRALIS. 



27 



whole scene is one of lively contrasts, pleasing to the eye and stimu- 

 lating to the mind, having quite the reverse of the effect of the days of 

 darkness and depressing storms which have preceded." 



At about ten o'clock we saw an aurora. It began as a ragged 

 arc, spread easterly and westerly across the southern sky, with a straight 

 line running under it close to the horizon. The space under the 

 arc was noticeably darker than the surrounding sky, and in this space, 

 also a straight line, were four luminous spots. The color of the 

 aurora was a bright cream with an occasional suggestion of pink. 



Early Exhibit, March 20, 1898. Arc with Rays Converging to a Common Center. 



March 23. Fragments of Multiple Arcs. 



March 24. Luminous Glow. 



There was no noticeable reflection of light on the snow, A quick 

 and constant transformation took place in the form of the phenomenon. 

 A wave of light ran through the luminous bands and spots from east 

 to west. Some parts brightened and enlarged, others darkened and 

 faded away. The arcs were generally of a steady rayless brightness; 

 the apparent movement and wavy effect of light were in a series of 

 sharp rays on a film-like display before the arc. 



I found it difficult in the low temperature to remain outside for 

 periods sufficiently prolonged to catch the minute changes in force 



