of October 2% 1847. 371 



red portions at either termination, which remained immove- 

 able, though it rather appeared, that as the central silvery 

 light fluctuated, now bright, now dim, these rosy extremities 

 fluctuated in direct opposition, their rosy hue becoming fainter 

 and inclining to a neutral tint in proportion to the increase 

 of the silvery brightness. The whole variation of appearance 

 somewhat resembled the reflexion cast upon a wall by a Gothic 

 casement lighted from within by some fitful and inconstant 

 light. Towards 10^ 12"™ a considerable diminution in the 

 brilliancy of the light, fleecy, silvery columns took place; the 

 regular and casement-like appearance disappeared by degrees 

 and assumed more of the character of the extremities, although 

 they still continued their fitful, glancing and radiating motion. 

 During these appearances two or three milk-white, cloud-like 

 masses came up from the N.W. and slowly moved towards 

 the S.E. ; each of these masses seemed to have a kind of pulsa- 

 tion within themselves. 



At 10^ 19"^ little could be seen of the Aurora, excepting 

 the red column in the N.W. ; this still retained much bril- 

 liancy, though all else seemed merged into the sky, when at 

 times, like the bursting of a firework, a stream would spring 

 up from this column, white and brilliant, except at their upper 

 portions, which were tinged with rose colour. 



About this time, the moon, which had been shining upon 

 a cloudless sky, was suddenly surrounded with a splendid 

 corona, exhibiting concentric circles, first of a neutral tint, 

 next of violet, then green, and the outermost red ; the ex- 

 ternal boundary of the latter passed nearly midway between 

 the moon and the planet Mars ; this appearance continued at 

 its extreme brilliancy a short time only, but more dimly it 

 continued for a long time. 



From \Q)^ SO"" to U** 0% with the exception of an occa- 

 sional streamer, there was no appearance of the Aurora; and 

 at times no aurora at all was visible. 



At 1 1^ 14™, to this time no arch-formation had been seen, 

 or bank of vapour; a bright arch however was supposed to 

 have formed at about this time, but, if so, it continued a short 

 time only. 



Shortly after 11^ IS"^ a faint stream or column of white light 

 was seen in the N.N.E.,and a splendid red patch of light, nearly 

 in the east, was seen, which grew very bright, and the phee- 

 nomenon at midnight exhibited an appearance as beautiful as 

 any of those that had preceded it. An arch appeared extend- 

 ing from the N.W. to the S.E. ; from this arch very bright 

 and flickering pencils of light darted out, both upwards and 

 downwards. 



2B2 



