TRANSACTIONS OF THE ACADEMY. 167 



of it, or the succession of billows upon the sea shore. In a 

 direction a little to the westward, there was a briUiant streak 

 of white light extending across the belt. The appearance of 

 the whole changed about eleven o'clock, when the belt was 

 not so distinct. It was now mostly of a pink colour, which 

 increased in intensity to a reddish hue — ascending towards the 

 zenith, it passed beyond it, and culminating in a point, 

 became quite a deep red, towards which the whole seemed to 

 tend. 



Some of the streamers, after reaching their greatest height, 

 passed down the opposite arch of the firmament, toward the 

 southern horizon. 



This I beUeve is one of the most brilliant displays of the 

 'northern light' ever noticed here, and none has ever been wit- 

 nessed to extend so high, as I am informed in this latitude. 

 I have not been able to obtain any observations made later 

 than a little after eleven, although I heard casually that the 

 aurora lasted all night. The moon was shining brightly 

 during this display, but its clear silver light was distinctly dif- 

 ferent from the brilliant emanations of the aurora. Unfortu- 

 nately no observations were made of the magnetic needle 

 during the day preceding or through the continuance of the 

 phenomenon. This is much to be regretted, as the observa- 

 tions during or preceding former occurrences of the aurora 

 borealis, have indicated a considerable disturbance of the mag- 

 netic influence. The barometer during Friday rose from 

 30.08 in. to 30.15 in. and the weather was clear and pleasant — 

 wind from n. w. Thermometer at 7 o'clock, p. m. 45° — at 

 10 p. M. 38°. Dew point 15° — at 10 a.m. much lower than 

 on either the previous or succeeding day, and indicating a dry 

 condition of the atmosphere. 



These observations, though very inadequate to give a cor- 

 rect impression of the scene which they are designed to des- 

 cribe, may serve perhaps to revive in all their splendour, recol- 

 lections of the beauty and magnifi.cence of the 'northern lights 

 of 1836.' 



May 12. — Dr. Geddings reported upon several specimens 

 referred to the section of zoology at former meetings. Pro- 

 fessor Ducatel reported upon the specimens presented by Mr. 

 Trevallyn, which had been referred to the section of mine- 



