METEOROLOGY. 329 



phenomena of tlie liigher classes, sucli as arches, streamers, a cofona, 

 and auroral waves, the corona and waves being remarkably developed. 

 The southern arch, however, was perhaps the most remarkable phe- 

 nomenon of the exhibition. 



Second Class Aurora Borealis. 



December 23. — In the evening there was an auroral exhibition. A 

 dark arch was formed in the north, having an altitude at its culmin- 

 ating point of 15°, and its centre of curvature lying in the magnetic 

 meridian. Numberless streamers shot upward from the .arch to an 

 elevation of 45°. The aurora was visible about one hour. The bril- 

 liancy of the streamers would place this exhibition in the seco7id class 

 aurora. 



Lunar Halo. 



December 27. — In the evening I saw a beautiful halo around the 

 moon. The interior diameter of the ring was about 3°, and its exte- 

 rior diameter was fully 7°. The inner edge of the ring was of a deep 

 crimson color, and its exterior a brilliant blue ; while it had an inter- 

 mediate annulus of yellow, bordering on an orange color. The width 

 of the red ring was f°, that of the blue f°, and that of the yellow ^°. 

 The phenomenon was seen only about three or four minutes. 



Auroras of the Third and Fourth Glasses. 



1852 — January 23. — In the evening saw a fourth class aurora bore- 

 alis. 



January 24. — In the evening I observed the aurora borealis, but the 

 exhibition was of little importance, being of the lowest class. 



February 7. — In the evening saw aurora borealis. 



February 18. — In the evening there occurred quite a brilliant exhi- 

 bition of the aurora borealis, with finely developed streamers. I saw 

 a very curious auroral meteor in the constellation Virgo. Its shape 

 was that of the head of a huge spear. Its foremost point was in the 

 vicinity of Spica, and the two anterior points were situated, the one 

 near y, and the other near r^ of that constellation. It remained visi- 

 ble only a few minutes. 



February 19. — In the evening observed a slight auroral corrusca- 

 tion. 



Parhelia. 



February 26. — In the morning I observed two brilliant parhelia, one 

 on each side of the sun. The sun's altitude at the time was nearly 

 15°, and the mock suns were distant about 30° on each side of the real 

 sun. On their inner, or sides next the sun, their light was of dazzling 

 brightness, and their outer sides were tinged with the prismatic hues. 



