IntelligeJice and Miscellaneous Articles. 495 



till one in the mornin<y. This letter contains the observations made 

 by M. Mattencci, while this phaenomenon lasted, on two magnetic 

 needles, the one of the length of 0^'05 ; the other shorter, which 

 in ordinary had 32 and 16 oscillations per minute. In ten succes- 

 sive observations made during the aurora borealis, the constant num- 

 ber of oscillations amounted to 30 and 1 3 only. The next morning, 

 the temperature remaining the same as in the preceding evening, 

 the needles had returned to their ordinary rate of 32 and 16 oscil- 

 lations. M. Matteucci adds, that if similar facts should be observed 

 hereafter, they might serve to elucidate the theory of the aurora 

 borealis and of terrestrial magnetism. — Institute March 22. 



Observations of this phaenomenon are also given in the Proceedings 

 of the Astronomical Society for March 1837. 



In London, by F. Baily, Esq., the President of the Society. — 

 " The atmosphere had been very cloudy, ^with much rain and 

 wind during the whole of the evening. But a little after ten 

 o'clock (mean time), or about three quarters of an hour before 

 the occultation of Mars by the moon took place, the clouds di- 

 spersed and left a beautifully clear sky ; at the same time disco- 

 vering a most brdliant aurora, or rather stream of light, which ex- 

 tended from the horizon in the west, through the zenith, almost 

 down to the horizon in the east. This light was of a fine rose co- 

 lour, being most vivid and brilliant in the western horizon ; and, as 

 it approached the zenith, was evidently impaired by tlic strong light 

 of the moon, then near her full, and high on the meridian. The 

 aurora appeared very steady, and unaccofiipanied by any corusca- 

 tions. It lasted till about half-past eleven o'clock, and wholly dis- 

 appeared before midnight. By subsequent accounts which have 

 been received, it was seen in the western parts of Ireland, and in 

 Scotland." 



At Makerstoun, near Kelso, Scotland, lat. 55° 34' 45" N., 

 long. 10™ 4^ west of Greenwich; by Sir T. M. Brisbane. — " On 

 quitting the observatory, at about 10*^ 35^, I was struck by a 

 most extraordinary red appearance in the sky, extending as far 

 west as the constellation of Orion, and as far east as that of Leo. 

 It was principally north of the moon — none of it very near her; and 

 might have been at least 10 degrees in breadth, of almost a deep 

 red colour. I found all the servants out, looking at it with surprise 

 and astonishment. It was followed next day by snow, rain, and 

 a gale of wind. Observed also a very beautiful lunar halo, of nearly 

 5' in diameter : the colour principally orange, but it did not last 

 many minutes." 



At Ashurst, in Kent, by Mr. Snow. — " A very remarkable Aurora 

 Borealis became visible at ten o'clock. It commenced with a very 

 fine deep red arch, extending over the zenith from the east and 

 west, and slanting away, as it were, at an altitude of about 30° to- 

 wards the horizon in the N.E. and N.W. Its appearance was mag- 

 nificent, although the moon was very bright, and not far from the 

 meridian. When it was first noticed, the clouds that were driving 

 off to wards the east were deeply tinged with the red colour. After 



