appears to subsist between it and the Formation of Clouds. 39 



at this place for many years. Crimson, yellow and green, of 

 many different shades, were blended with brilliant white in an 

 indescribably beautiful manner. The light given out by the 

 aurora at this time was considered fully equal to that of the full 

 moon. A dull red haze (perhaps merely the reflection of the 

 crimson streamers) extended along the southern horizon. White 

 streamers next began to shoot up to the corona from the northern 

 points, and a complete cone of rays was formed, of which the 

 corona formed the apex. The crimson streamers were still 

 chiefly confined to the southern parts of the sky. At 10 h p.m. 

 the sky (excepting a small space in S.S.E.) was nearly covered 

 by yellowish-white streamers and luminous masses. From this 

 till 12 o'clock the aurora continued with varying brightness, 

 being chiefly confined to the south, and being most vivid about 

 the region of the celestial equator. The rays converged with 

 great regularity and symmetry to the corona. After this the 

 aurora increased in brightness, and at l h a.m. (18th) the corona 

 was beautifully defined, the streamers in its vicinity being crim- 

 son, pink and white, and very vivid. About l h 20 m cirrostratus 

 clouds began to form rapidly, especially in the east, about mid- 

 way between the horizon and zenith. These arranged themselves 

 in lines ranging nearly N.W. to S.E., and appeared to be influ- 

 enced in their formation by the aurora, a circumstance which 

 has been repeatedly noticed. These clouds remained for a long 

 time nearly motionless, although a high wind was blowing from 

 S.W. during the whole night in the lower regions of the atmo- 

 sphere. After this the aurora, besides being obscured by these 

 clouds, became intrinsically fainter. 



" The forenoon of the 18th was wet and stormy, wind W. to 

 N.W. When the lower clouds were partially dispersed, the 

 upper strata were seen to consist of compact and fleecy cirri, 

 having a tendency to a linear arrangement from W.N.W. to 

 E.S.E., together with patches of cirrostrati, cirrocumuli, and 

 cumuli. The cirri appeared to be almost motionless. In the 

 evening the aurora again appeared, but faint, and presenting no 

 features of peculiar interest. The barometer fell rapidly during 

 the nights of the 17th and 18th. The morning of the 19th was 

 pleasant, with sharp frost. In the evening a great assemblage 

 of cirrus and cirrostratus clouds appeared, stretching right 

 across the sky from N.W. to S.E., a faint luminosity appearing 

 between the dark streaks at the N.W. point. At 10 11 p.m. the 

 wind began to rise from about S.W. This day (Nov. 20) has 

 been very stormy throughout, a heavy gale blowing from S.W., 

 accompanied by frequent showers. 



" It may be remarked that the period about the 17th of No- 

 vember of almost every year is marked by displays of the aurora. 



