the bearing of its apex, give its altitude from time to time, and 

 any changes that may take place in it, and whether a dark 

 cloud exists in the segment beneath, while the other parts of 

 the heavens are unclouded. When Auroral beams appear they 

 frequently move laterally along the arch. Note whether this 

 motion is to the east or to the west. This observation is impor- 

 tant in ascertaining whether the electrical discharge, to which the 

 Aurora is undoubtedly due, be to or from the earth. 



When the beams of the Aurora shoot up toward the zenith, 

 note whether any mistiness in the atmosphere becomes instanta- 

 neously perceptible, and, Avhether this continues or soon disap- 

 pears. Note whether the beams in any case are visible between 

 a distant mountain, or a cloud, and the observer, and whether 

 sounds accompany the meteor. 



21. In going up the western coast it should be recollected 

 that the magnetic needle has a large easterly variation increas- 

 ing as we advance northward, care should therefore be taken to 

 state, whether the register of the wind, arch of the Aurora, 

 &c., is made in reference to the magnetic or true north, and to 

 which the accounts of the directions of the wind you may ob- 

 tain from others relates. 



22. Note the appearance of water-spouts and the condition 

 of the air as to temperature and moisture under which they 

 occur ; the direction of their motion, and whether they appear 

 singly or in numbers. Observe whether the top spreads out 

 with currents of air moving from it in every direction as if from a 

 centre ; and if the ship is near observe the effect on the bar- 

 ometer and whether the direction of the wind is then toward 

 the spout. 



23. Regular observations should be made on land when op- 

 portunities occur on all the objects mentioned in paragraph one. 

 Enquiry should be made as to the occurrence of thunder storms; 

 appearance of the aurora ; amount of rain and snow ; early and 

 late frosts ; as to whether cracks are produced during very cold 

 weather in the earth by the shrinking of the surface ; thickness 

 of the ice in harbors ; time of planting and reaping ; of flowering 

 of plants; leafing, &c., of trees; kinds and quality of grain, veg- 

 etables, &c., which are grown. 



24. Observations should be made of the temperature of the 

 ground at the depth of an inch, a foot, and a yard, the depth to 



