Marsh.] 28 [March. 



than 50 miles. In the grand display of August 28, 1859, the height 

 was 43 to 46 miles;* and in that of September 2, 1859, it was 50 

 miles. On ordinary occasions, the arch does not seem capable of 

 penetrating the atmosphere to so great a depth. 



Dr. C. Smallwood, of the Montreal Observatory, sends the follow- 

 ing notes of observations made during a drive which was commenced 

 before 7 o'clock on the evening of January 16; but as the exact 

 time was not noted, they are not available for comparison in the above. 



"Time, from before till after 7 P. M. Dark auroral bank in the 

 north, surmounted by a bright auroral arch of a greenish or yellow 

 hue, about 25° to 30° in altitude. This lasted for some hours. An 

 auroral bow or arch stretching from horizon to horizon, due E. and 

 W., passing the zenith, of 2° to 3° in breadth, of the same color as 

 the other auroral appearance. Its southern border was bounded by 

 Beta Orionis, its northern border by Procyon. It lasted a considera- 

 ble time, say twenty minutes, and exhibited a very distinct and well- 

 defined arch. It gradually vanished, but the auroral bank and ap- 

 pearance remained part of the night." 



Mr. Tenny, also, noted another bright arch at 10 P. M. February 

 20, at an elevation of 12° and 15° from N. horizon; also, a fine one 

 on the 22d, and an imperfect one on the 25th. 



Of another on the 21st February, Dr. Perkins writes as follows : 



<' On the same evening (Tuesday), a most beautiful arch formed in 

 the north, and became elevated, say about 8° or 10°. It was of a 

 bright crimson hue at the base, green above this, and yellowish white 

 above the green, looking somewhat like a low rainbow, only diiferently 

 colored, its width about 5°. Soon after it was completely formed, 

 streamers began to shoot upwards from its eastern extremity, which 

 gradually, but rapidly, extended themselves towards the west, using 

 up the arch entirely as it progressed, just as a slip of paper would be 

 used up in setting it on fire at one end and burning it up." 



Of the frequent auroral displays of the latter part of February, 

 this is the only one in which streamers played a conspicuous part, the 

 whole series being remarkably characterized by the exclusive preva- 

 lence of auroral "arches." 



Pending nominations, Nos. 534, 535, 536, and 537, were 

 read. 



And the Society was adjourned. 



* Journal of Franklin Institute, 3d series, vol. 38, p. 353. Am. Journ. 

 Science, 2d series, vol. 32, pp. 320, 322. 



