LATITUDE OF ANNAPOLIS. 137 



On that occasion, also the needle had shown a stronger ten- 

 dency than usual to dip, being drawn down to the plate, as is 

 observed, when one, improperly, excites electrical action, in 

 a compass, by rubbing the glass. No display of auroral light, 

 of equal splendour, is remembered to have occurred here by 

 any person at this place. It reached as far south as Sirius, 

 and spanned the whole heavens, Orion and Taurus, lying 

 within its border. It exhibited, to that extent, the white light 

 of the common aurora, after the crimson waves had receded. 

 A more interesting fact was observed in connection with this 

 display, in the sudden appearance of the zodiacal light, on the 

 evening of January 26th, in great distinctness at the west, 

 extending upwards, nearly ninety degrees from the horizon, 

 and having density enough, towards its base, to conceal the 

 stars in that quarter. This light Avas observ^ed for many 

 evenings afterwards, and diminished in its altitude, till it 

 ceased to attract attention. A bank of light, of the same kind, 

 was also seen in the west, after the aurora of the 3d of April. 

 In that case, however, it extended along the horizon, instead 

 of forming an inclined column. Another appearance of the 

 same light, was noticed on the 22d of this month, and, now, 

 on the 24th, is observed with great distinctness, as late as nine 

 o'clock, p. M. The light in question does not differ from the 

 common diffused northern light. The appearances, perhaps, 

 are owing, to a highly attenuated electric vapour, or elastic 

 fluid, floating in space in large and small masses, visible only 

 when great depths of its substance are presented to the obser- 

 ver's eye ; or when its presence in the rarer strata of our 

 atmosphere, is manifested by the passage of some form of 

 electrical, or if it be preferred, magnetic light. 



The latitude of St. John's College, as deduced from many 

 observations, 38° 58' 35".617 N. is laid down in the best 

 books at 39.° A series of observations has been commenced 

 for an accurate determination of the longitude 5 the result of 

 which shall be communicated hereafter. 



Annapolis, April 24, 1837. 



18 



