to other Atmospheric Phenomena. 93 



appearance of the aurora during the present autumn, and 

 which I shall by and by describe. Let me, however, take a 

 retrospective glance at my memorandum book. 



On Dec. 11. 1830, I find recorded that the aurora was very 

 distinct and brilliant; but I have no farther observation 

 respecting it. I find added in a note: — " Falling stars, as 

 they are commonly termed, frequently visible." The aurora 

 is again noted as visible on Dec. 12. On Dec. 14., I find the 

 following upon record : — " At eight o'clock in the evening, 

 a beautiful meteor was visible ; its course s.e. to n.w. After 

 a short and rapid passage through the heavens, it burst ; but, 

 again re-collecting its scattered fragments, it made a second 

 progress nearly as long as the first, and finally burst into 

 numerous white particles." By reference to the register of 

 my thermometer during this period, I find that, on Dec. 1 1., 

 the wind was N.w.; on Dec. 12. and 13., e. ; Dec. 14., e. 

 and Dec. 15., w., with rain. Here we have a variable state 

 of the atmosphere, certainly, as far as regards the wind ; but, 

 I think, nothing besides of any importance. 



I find that the aurora again appeared on Dec. 25. This, 

 I find, I have more particularly recorded. It formed an arch 

 of pure white, extending from n.w. to n.e. It appeared as if 

 cut into separate compartments, each radiating from a centre, 

 exactly like the stones in the face of an arch of a bridge ; and, 

 after continuing visible for some time, disappeared in beautiful 

 straw-coloured coruscations. An aurora, something of the 

 same kind, is described and figured in Mag. Nat. Hist., vii. 

 50 — 52., as having appeared at Hull on the evening of Oct. 12. 

 1833. In the present instance, however, the aurora presented 

 much more the appearance of a regular arch. On Dec. 24., 25., 

 and 26., I find recorded, " fair ;" and, on Dec. 27., " snow." 

 The next notice which I have of the appearance of the 

 aurora is dated Jan. 7. 1831. On that night it appeared, 

 about nine o'clock, as a white cloud arching the heavens from 

 e. to n.w. The colour afterwards changed to deep crimson. 

 Soon afterwards it became agitated, and shot forth pillars across 

 the heavens, nearly to the west. About ten o'clock, the whole 

 collected into one bright focus near the zenith ; and from this 

 centre diverged beautiful rays, like an immense star. It after- 

 wards dispersed; and remained during the greater part of the 

 night stationary, like three or four bright clouds, in the north. 

 It was nearly as light as if it had been full moon. I find that 

 the first seventeen days of this month were " fair." 



I have no farther memoranda of aurora?, until Capt. Winn's 

 observations drew my attention to them afresh. My renewed 

 attention was rewarded with the appearance of the aurora on 

 Sept. 18. 1833. It began in the n.w., presenting very much 



