278 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. VIII. 



The Aurora is stated to have appeared forty-seven 

 nights from October to March, fifteen times in 

 January, five in March, and two in October. 

 Nothing particular is said of its appearance, and 

 no one ever heard any sound produced. The 

 Aurora had no effect on the variation-needles, 

 which were suspended (not supported) in the most 

 delicate manner. 



The atmosphere during the winter months is 

 stated to have been favourable to the excitement 

 of electricity ; but none could be made apparent, 

 though Parry says the electrometer with gold- 

 leaf was applied to the chain, attached to the 

 mast-head by glass-rods, the upper link, above 

 the mast-head, being 115 feet above the level of 

 the sea ; but it was without the slightest percep- 

 tible effect. 



A word on the difference of temperature, and of 

 the different quantities of ice on the east and west 

 shores of continents, islands, or straits, a well-known 

 fact, but which does not appear to have been satis- 

 factorily explained, — why the western coasts of con- 

 tinents and islands, of straits and inlets, should 

 be less subject to be hampered with ice than the 

 eastern ones; the fact is decidedly so, as many 

 instances, in addition to those mentioned by Cap- 

 tain Parry, might be given. If the easterly winds 

 were the most prevalent and powerful, the floes 

 and masses of ice would no doubt be driven by 

 them to the easterly coast; but it would rather 



