Aurora Borealis. 385 



The most remarkable incident, and to which it is more particu- 

 larly necessary to advert, was the unusual and great amount of 

 Atmospheric Electricity manifested as being present. At 9 p.m. the 

 Electrometers indicated a maximum of 250 decrees in terms of 

 Volta's Electrometer No. 1, of a positive character (but almost 

 constantly varying in intensity) an amount equalled only during 

 the Thunder storms of summer and the heavy Snow storms of 

 winter. The amount during the following day and night indu ated 

 a maximum of 10 degrees which is however somewhat above the 

 usual average. 



The appearances would, lead to the opinion that the Cumulus 

 and Cumulo stratus clouds which generally do not occupy any 

 great altitude might have been the medium of conducting the 

 Atmospheric Etectricity to the earth, for the indications of the 

 Electrometers were such as is present during the passage of clouds 

 charged with electricity, and this phenomenon seems to have ex- 

 tended to the wires of the Electro- Magnetic Telegraph. 



The following day and night indicated a small increase on the 

 usual amount of Electricity, this may be owing to the continued 

 presence of the Aurora, or in some measure may be owing to the 

 decrease in temperature, accompanied bv high wind and a great 

 amount of Terrestrial Radiation. The Radiator indicated 25-2 

 degrees, and frost, which was destructive to vegetables, occurred on 

 the morning of the 30th. The sky was cloudless on the 29th, 

 hut rain set in at 4*45 p.m. of the 30th, clouds began to form 

 before noon of this day. 



Similar indications of the Electrical state of the Atmosphere 

 during the Aurora Borealis were never observed here, although its 

 effect on the Magnetic Telegraph has been before witnessed, and 

 reference is made to the same effects during the Aurora of the 

 19th Feby. 1852, which was also visible at this place. It is thus 

 recorded : " From 6-30 to 7 p.m., a curtain or veil of Auroral light 

 completely round the horizon terminating in a point in the 

 Zenith near B auriga, of a crimson, green and yellow colour, 

 the sky was cloudless and stars were distinctly visible through it." 

 On the same night there was an immense eruption of Mauna Loa, 

 tiie great volcano on Hawaii in the Sandwich Islands, a slight 

 shock of an earthquake wae felt here at 5*40 a.m n on the morn- 

 ing of the 11th day (Feby 1852) the wave passing from the W. 

 N. W. 



The only display presenting such appearances as that of August 



Canadian Nat. 5 Vol. IV. No. 5. 



