638 Habits of the Vultur Aura, 



The full moon rose majestically, if I may use the expression, 

 and gave that summer-like effect to the evening which is rarely 

 witnessed at so advanced a period in autumn. One of my 

 sons, at half-past five o'clock, called my attention to what he 

 took to be a lunar rainbow : this was a band of reddish-coloured 

 light, stretching across the heavens below Ursa Major, from 

 W, to e. This lasted only a few minutes ; and the tinge became, 

 as it were, transferred to some thin and previously transparent 

 clouds, which followed each other from n. to s. in quick and 

 wavelike succession. Bands of white and red clouds rapidly 

 succeeded each other. At six p. m., the western part of the 

 heavens appeared as if reddened by the reflection from some 

 distant conflagration. At a quarter-past eight, the red light 

 began gradually to fade away, and to assume a yellowish tinge ; 

 the clouds forming themselves into parallel bands, about the 

 magnetic meridian. At nine p. m., no tinge of colour was 

 perceptible; but the white clouds still maintained their parallel 

 positions, till past eleven o'clock, when a beautiful corona 

 formed round the moon, which exhibited the prismatic colours 

 in the greatest perfection I ever witnessed on similar occasions. 

 At half-past eleven, thick clouds collected in the s. E., and soon 

 completely hid the moon from view. The magnetic north ap- 

 peared like the early dawn of a summer's morning, which, at 

 midnight, was no longer visible, in consequence of clouds. 

 This beautiful phenomenon has amply made amends for the 

 absence of a meteoric display. As there appeared a decided 

 connexion with the magnetic curves, I apprehend this to have 

 been an electrical phenomenon ; and, as similar phenomena 

 are frequently witnessed in higher latitudes previously to the 

 occurrence of terrestrial disturbances, as earthquakes, hurri- 

 canes, &c, may we not consider this phenomenon to have 

 been in some way connected with the late storms of thunder 

 and lightning, and the furious gales that characterised the 

 commencement of the present month, and which are so un- 

 usual at this advanced period of the year ? 

 London, Nov. 17. 1837. 



Art. VII. Extract from the "Proceedings of the Zoological Society" 

 relating to the Habits of the Vultur Aura.* 



March 14. 1837. — A paper was read, u On the habits of 

 the Vultur Aura" by Mr. W. Sells, with notes of dissections 

 of the heads of two specimens, by Mr. II. Owen. 



* As the power of smell in the carrion vulture has been a subject of 

 discussion in the Magazine of Natural History, the remarks of Mr. Sells 

 are deserving of attention. — Ed. 



