Meteoric and Atmospheric Phenomena, 97 



[In a " Meteorological Report" for Nov. 1834, and for, 

 we presume, Worcester, published in the Analyst, No. vi.j 

 Jan. 1835, p. 446., it stated that (i a luminous arch, stretching 

 across the heavens from east to west, was visible on the even- 

 ing of the [Nov.] 3d." From the particulars on it given we 

 quote the following : — "It was first observed at 8 p. M. . . . 

 At the time of its appearance, the wind was light from the 

 south, the temperature mild, and the sky generally overspread 

 by a very thin stratum of cloud, more dense in the north than 

 elsewhere. Stars of the first and second magnitude were very 

 visible ; the small ones mostly obscured. It will be seen, by 

 the table [given], that the weather for the subsequent days 

 was windy, with rain, accompanied with a considerable fall in 

 the barometer."] 



Art. X. Remarks contributive to the Elucidation of Meteoric and 

 Atmospheric Phenomena, By W. H. White, Esq. 



In compliance with the request of the Rev. W. B. Clarke, 

 in his postscript (VII. 655.), I have extracted the following 

 observations from my journal, relative to the meteoric appear- 

 ances on the morning of Nov. 13. 1834, which, I regret, were 

 both accidental and very limited, owing to the ill state of 

 health I was in at that time. I have kept a journal of atmo- 

 spheric and meteoric phenomena for some years, with the 

 hope of deducing accurate conclusions on their origin, pro- 

 perties, and effects. Many of tbe results have been highly 

 interesting ; one or two of which, relative to aurora, I will 

 take the liberty of noticing at the close of the following ex- 

 tract, as they are immediately connected with the subject in 

 question. 



Extract. — " Finding myself unable to sleep, from pain 

 and restlessness, I arose at half past one o'clock this morning 

 (Nov. 13. 1834). The moon was shining with such peculiar 

 brilliancy, that I was induced to take a survey of that por- 

 tion of the heavens which my windows commanded, the north 

 and east. The wind was blowing fresh from the n.e. After 

 looking in the direction of Leo and Ursa Major for a few 

 minutes, I observed a few small meteors, perhaps five or six 

 (as I did not note the number); but they presented nothing 

 unusual in their appearance. I retired from the window for 

 about a quarter of an hour ; but my interest in a subject at 

 all times so highly gratifying to my mind induced me to 

 take another survey. I then saw, in the space of half an 

 hour, ten meteors, all of them highly electrical, of a red 



Vol. VIII. — No. 46. h 



