552 



APPENDIX 



[No. Ill 



Upon one occasion, the Aurora was seen immediately after sunset, whilst 

 bright daylight was remaining. 



A circumstance to which I attach some importance must not be omitted. 

 Clouds have been sometimes observed during the day to assume the 

 forms of the aurora, and I am inclined to connect with the appearance of 

 these clouds the deviation of the needle, which was occasionally remarked at 



such times. 



An Aurora sometimes approached the zenith, without producing any change 

 in the position of the needle, as was more generally the case, whilst at other 

 times a considerable alteration took place, although the beams or arches did 

 not come near the zenith. The Aurora was frequently seen without producing 

 any perceptible effect on the needle. At such times its appearance was that 

 of an arch or an horizontal stream of dense yellowish light, with little or no 

 internal motion. 



The disturbance in the needle was not always proportionate to the agitation 

 of the Aurora, but it was always greater when the quick motion and vivid 

 light were observed to take place in a hazy atmosphere. 



In a few instances, the motion of the needle was observed to commence at 

 the instant a beam darted upwards from the horizon. And its former position 

 was more quickly or slowly regained according to circumstances. If an arch 

 was formed immediately afterwards, having its extremities placed on opposite 

 sides of the magnetic north and south to the former one, the return of the 

 needle was more speedy, and it generally went beyond the point from whence 

 it first started. 



When the disturbance of the needle was considerable, it seldom regained 

 its usual position before three or four, p. m. on the following day. 



On February 13, at llh 50 p. m., the needle had a quick vibratory motion 

 between 343° 50' and 344° 40'. This is the only occasion on which a vibra- 

 tory motion was observed. 



The disturbances produced by the Aurora were so great that no accurate 

 deductions could be made respecting the diurnal variation. 



I have not heard the noise ascribed to the Aurora, but the uniform testimony 

 of the natives and of the residents in this country induces me to believe that 



r 



it is occasionally audible. The circumstance, however, must be of rare occur- 



