Cresson.] 206 [March. 



signed W. P. Jones, dated Philadelphia, 2d month 22d, and 

 3d month 2d, 1866. 



Mr. Cresson described an Auroral display observed by him 

 when at Pottsville, Schuylkill County, on the night of Feb- 

 ruary 20th-21st, between the hours of two and three a. m. 



The eastern half only was visible from his point of observation. 



The arch was well defined and nearly stationary along its lower 

 margin or intrados. 



The eastern extremity rested on the horizon at the point where 

 Altair was then rising, and the crown was in Cassiopeia at about 10° 

 of meridional elevation. The width of the permanent arched band 

 was nearly 15°. 



There were but few streamers projected at rare intervals from the 

 arch, but copious billows of white light rolled from its upper margin 

 toward the zenith, some of them continuing visible after separating 

 from the arch and rolling to an elevation of 70° or 75°, involving the 

 whole of Ursa Minor then at its highest culmination, and Lyra and 

 Corona Borealis. Sometimes the billows of light seemed to originate 

 at these lines of extreme altitude and rolled down toward the arch, 

 meeting the billows travelling upward. The degree of illumination 

 measured by shadow within my apartment was about equal to that 

 cast by the moon at half full. 



Mr. Chase drew the attention of the members present to 

 the paper of Mr. Glaisher, of London, upon magnetism, and 

 the debates which it gave rise to, reclaiming for himself 

 priority in the publication of similar views.* 



Pending nominations Nos. 541, 547, 548 were read. 



The President then presented the Magellanic medal to Mr. 

 P. E. Chase, to whom it had been awarded. 



Dr. Bell, the Chairman of the Library Committee, reported 

 that at a meeting of the Library Committee, held March 2d, 

 1866, it was on motion resolved, — 



That it be the duty of the Chairman to recommend to the 

 Society at its next meeting, to proceed with the printing of 

 the Catalogue of the Library, Part II, consisting of 189 

 manuscript pages. 



Which report, on motion of Mr. Price, was accepted, and 

 the recommendation adopted. 



* See inile, vol. i.x, pp. .346-8. 



