THE AURORA. 479 



This tlieory accounts for nearly all the points on which there 

 is now any uncertainty. There only remains the spectroscopic side 

 of the subject, as intimated, to account for all the lines in the spec- 

 trum of the aurora. Tlie yellowish-green line (the fourth in the 

 spectrum) to which we have referred is only found in the " zodiacal 

 light " which travels along the zodiac at certain times of our year. 

 But while there is otherwise no identity between the two forms of 

 light, this would indicate an intrastellar or supermundane source 

 of both lights. So it is very probable that cosmic causes, foreign 

 to our globe, may determine on our globe the production of the 

 aurora. We have dwelt in other papers on the influence of the sun 

 spots, so it is not necessary to revert to them, except to confirm our 

 previous theory and impressions. These phenomena all appear to 

 obey the successive phases of solar activity, and the electric theory of 

 the aurora fully accounts for their relation to each other. If sun 

 spots can cause a widespread action of the aurora in polar regions, 

 why can they not induce magnetic disturbances, electric storms, and 

 all the fury of tempests in temperate regions, acting along exactly 

 the same lines of current, only deflected sooner to the earth than 

 the rays of force which reach the earth nearer the poles? It is a very 

 simple question, and the answer self-evident. 



Laboratory study of electric discharges in rarefied air and gases 

 has not yet reached a point where the spectrum of the aurora 

 borealis can be artificially produced. A study of the zodiacal light, 

 and of the influence of magnetism on light, will be necessary to re- 

 veal this factor of the problem. This opens an immense field of 

 further research in which scientists must still delve. 



In the Baram district of Borneo, according to Mr. C. Hose, it is cus- 

 tomary, when a dispute arises, concerning the ownership of a fruit ti-ee, for 

 example, for the parties to take their positions, in the presence of the wit- 

 nesses and a throng of spectators, in about four feet of water, each assever- 

 ating that he is the rightful owner, and praying that the water and the 

 birds and animals may bear him witness. Two sets of cross-sticks have 

 been driven into the mud at the bottom of the river. At a given signal, 

 each disputant puts his head under his cross-stick and keeps it in the water 

 as long as he can, a friend holding his legs in order to detect the first signs 

 of fainting and pull him out on their appearance. The man who can 

 keei) his head under water the longer time is declared to be the winner, 

 and the loser is not allowed to make any further claim. Men recovering 

 from serious illness often change their names, hoping that the evil spirit 

 that caused their illness may lose trace of them. When this is done, the 

 former name is never mentioned again. The most precious articles of 

 clothing and weapons are deposited in the graves, because the friends 

 wish the spirit of the deceased to appear to advantage on his arrival in the 

 other world. 



