prevalent Disorders^ ^c, with Volcanic Emanations, 291 



point was in the constellation of Leo; and that it agreed 

 exactly with the point to which the magnetic " needle would 

 point when left free to move both vertically and horizontally^^ 

 (p. 356.) * From this and other circumstances, it is concluded 

 that this phenomenon was of similar character to that of the 

 aurora borealis.f The " concurrent phenomena " are, the sink- 

 ing down of an acre and a half of wood at Hudson, New 

 York, full 30 ft. below the surface ; the occurrence of a 

 trembling of the earthy previously observed there, at Lynch- 

 burg; a fall ofrain^ on Nov. 13., a.m., at Harvard, when not 

 a cloud was to be seen [and a luminous appearance, like the 

 zodiacal light, on Dec. 3., at Newhaven] ; and terrible gales 

 of wind, on Nov. 13., between lat. 40° and 50°, and long. 30° 

 and 50° W. 



These are the principal particulars of the statements in 

 Silliman's Journah The authors mention, that it is their 

 intention to consider, in a future number, previous examples 

 of like phenomena ; and to collect farther information, from 

 distant parts of the west, before coming to any distinct con- 

 clusion. They dwell, however, on the fact of the appearances 

 corresponding with the aurora, and on the light seen in the 

 west on Dec. 3. ; which, they state, was again visible on 

 Dec. 29.t 



A similar phenomenon is also quoted (that of Nov. 12. 

 1799), seen by Humboldt and Bonpland, in Cumana; the 

 particulars of which agree in all respects with those above 

 mentioned. This was ascertained to have been observed 

 through 60° of latitude and 91° of longitude (p. 369.); and 

 the wind, as in 1833, changed its direction^ and the weather 

 became suddenly cold, a well-known condition of the aurora, 

 (p. 360.) § It is also mentioned, that a similar occurrence 

 took place about eighty years since ; when so many falling 



* Maskelyne states the same fact of the aurora of Oct. 24. 1769 j and 

 Humboldt of the meteor of 1799. The aurora of Sept., 1828, corre- 

 sponded in this and in all the above-mentioned particulars. 



\ This opinion has been held by some, and disputed by others. Ho/, 

 Celsius, and Gisler are for the connection ; but Bergman, BernstofF, and 

 Blagden are not inclined to admit it. 



J "That the other luminous phenomena of the atmosphere have their 



origin in its electricity, cannot be doubted Falling and shooting stars 



are only the same phenomena on a smaller scale ; they appear at all sea- 

 sons, but most frequently during the prevalence of the northern lights, and 

 generally in the lower regions of the atmosphere." {Encyc. Brit.,\m. 623., 

 7th ed.) 



§ That the aurora itself gives out heaty in high latitudes, is equally con- 

 cluded from facts. It raises the thermometer, and affects the magnetic 

 needle. (See Q. R., xvi. 171.) Cold may be produced by the restoration 

 of the equilibrium, though the heat must be electric. 



u 2 - 



