(310 APPENDIX. 



of the aurora has been faint, and with comparatively 

 little motion. The needle in consequence has been less 

 affected in the extent of the sum of its arcs, though, as 

 may be seen by a reference to the register, it has seldom 

 been completely stationary. Sometimes I have re- 

 marked a quick vibratory motion of unequal arcs during 

 the day, the extremes of which will be found to be 

 always noted in their proper columns; at others, a much 

 weaker action has been exerted, when the needle has 

 remained a few seconds at its extreme eastern or western 

 limit, then receded perhaps 10', advanced 5', and again 

 deflected beyond its zero : and, finally, there were times 

 when its motion was so slow, even, and regular, that a 

 hasty observer would undoubtedly consider it to have 

 been steady; though, by keeping the eye to the telescope, 

 it would be seen to alter its position 5' or 8', but, as I 

 have just remarked, with such an extremely gentle action, 

 that it might have easily escaped detection. 



At 10 h p.m. this day, I was struck by an unusual 

 brightness of the snow when I went out of the house, 

 and on turning round perceived that it was the effect 

 of a brilliant arch extending from the N. E. to the op- 

 posite horizon. The sky was of a pale blue, the stars 

 visible, but a thin veil of mist dimmed their brightness. 



At 16 h 24 m 00 s by chronometer the needle showed the 

 following differences : — From 1° 40' E. to 1° 30' E., arch 

 E. to S. W., across the zenith : 1° 38' E., 1° 45' E., con- 

 centrated mass at the zenith, and patches E. to S.W. : 

 1° 20' E., 1°45'E., bright at E.S.E. : 1° 55' E., 

 1° 51' E.. arch E. to zenith: 1° 30', arch E. to W. at 

 an angle of 10° (southerly) : 1° 30' E., 1° 45' E., corona 

 at the zenith : 1° 40' E., convolving circular mass at E., 

 1° 30' E., mass travelling S.W. : 1° 40' E,, steady for a 

 few seconds, bands generally diffused: 1°50' E., bright to 



