THE RETURN TO COLD AND DARKNESS. 497 



There is some atmospheric disturbance at work to 

 the southward of us, which may reach us later, for in 

 no other way can our high temperature, plus 11.5°, and 

 rapid drift be accounted for. 



December 27th, Monday. — A very remarkable auro- 

 ral display at three A. m. is thus described by Chipp : 

 " A bright auroral curtain about 10° above horizon, 

 from east southeast to northwest, generally white, 

 but occasionally showing a green shade, and rarely a 

 brownish red color, which disappeared as soon as seen. 

 Above this curtain the sky was of a deep blue-black 

 color, through which the stars shone brilliantly, as 

 they did also through the deepest part of the curtain. 

 Above the deep blue-black color there were irregular 

 spirals and streaks of white light, which were in con- 

 tinuous motion, appearing and disappearing rapidly. 

 From east to west, through zenith, was an irregular 

 arch formed of detached streaks of brownish red light, 

 among which white light would suddenly appear, and 

 as suddenly vanish. This arch was 5° broad. Stars 

 shone with apparently undiminished brilliancy through 

 the deepest color. 



" Between this arch and the bank of stratus clouds 

 above the southern horizon the sky was covered with 

 irregular patches and streaks of light, which seemed to 

 drift away to windward. At 3.30 all had broken up 

 and drifted to southwest, and there succeeded white 

 flashes all over the sky." 



December 28th, Tuesday. — Weather clear, bright, 

 and pleasant, but extremely cold. Minus 32°. 



December 31st, 1880, Friday. — The last day of the 

 year and I hope all our trials and troubles have gone 

 with it. 



32 



