PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 387 



taneous movement occurred at both extremities of chap. 

 the arch, until a complete segment was formed of « ia8 * v ^/ 

 wavering perpendicular radii. As soon as the arch A ^ u 6 st> 

 was complete, the light became greatly increased ; 

 and the prismatic colours, which had before been 

 faint, now shone forth in a very brilliant manner. 

 The strongest colours, which were also the outside 

 ones, were pink and green ; the centre colour was 

 yellow, and the intermediate ones on the pink side 

 purple and green ; on the green side purple and 

 pink, all of which were as imperceptibly blended 

 as in the rainbow. The green was the colour 

 nearest the zenith. This magnificent display lasted 

 a few minutes ; and the light had nearly vanished, 

 when the N. E. quarter sent forth a vigorous display, 

 and nearly at the same time a corresponding corus- 

 cation emanated from the opposite extremity. The 

 western foot of the arch then disengaged itself from 

 the horizon, crooked to the northward, and the 

 whole retired to the N. E. quarter, where a bright 

 spot blazed for a moment, and all was darkness. I 

 have been thus particular in my description, because 

 the appearance was unusually brilliant, and because 

 very few observations on this phenomenon have been 

 made in this part of the world. There was no noise 

 audible during any part of our observations, nor 

 were the compasses perceptibly affected. The night 

 was afterwards squally, with cumuli and nimbi, which 

 deposited showers of sleet and snow as they passed 

 over us, the wind being rather fresh throughout. 



On the 26th the weather was moderate, and 

 being off Point Hope, on which there were several 

 lakes and a great abundance of driftwood, the boats 

 were sent to endeavour to procure a supply of fuel 



2 c 2 



