RECORD OF AURORAL PHENOMENA. 



Another gentleman, equally to be depended upon, and very fond of noticing extraordinary appear- 

 ances, saw it in another situation, near the quarters I occupy, equally close to him; and it always 

 appears to me here, as if it was not very far off. 



The peculiar humid atmosphere of the east coast, and the vicinage of the ocean, between which 

 and the city there is a lofty barrier of rocky hills, all conduce to render the belief in this new 

 appearance reasonable." — Bonnycastle, I, 359. 



N. B. — It has been seen at St. John's visibly close to the observer. 



Cedar Lake.— Lat. 53° 12' 59" N. Long. 100° 10' 49" W. October 13, 1819. Franklin. 



"Cross Lake is extensive, running towards the N. E., it is. said, for forty miles. We crossed it at 

 a narrow part, and, pulling through several winding channels, formed by a group of islands, 

 entered Cedar Lake, which, next to Lake Winnipeg, is the largest sheet of fresh water we had 

 hitherto seen. Ducks and geese resort hither in immense flocks in the spring and autumn. 

 These birds were now beginning to go off, owing to the muddy shores having become quite hard 

 through the nightly frosts. 

 At this place the Aurora Borealis was extremely brilliant in the night, its coruscations darting, at 

 times, over the tvlwle shy, and assuming various prismatic tints, of which the violet and yellow 

 were predomiuant." — Franklin, I, 46. 



N. B. — Extremely brilliant. Over the whole sky. 



Lake Winnipeg.— Lat. 53° 45' 53" N. Long. 98° 49' 58" W. October 8, 1819. Franklin. 



"We left Norway House soon after noon, and the wind being favorable, sailed along the northern 

 shore of Lake Winnipeg the whole of the ensuing night ; and on the morning of the 8th 

 landed on a narrow ridge of sand, which, running out twenty miles to the westward, separates 

 Limestone Bay from the body of the lake. 



From Norwegian Point to Limestone Bay the shore consists of high clay cliffs, against which the 

 waves beat with violence during strong southerly winds. When the wind blows from the laud, 

 and the waters of the lake are low, a narrow sandy beach is uncovered, and affords a landing- 

 place for boats. The shores of Limestone Bay are covered with small fragments of calcareous 

 stones. 



During the night the Aurora Borealis was quick in its motions, and various and vivid in its 

 colors." — Franklin, I, 44. 



N. B. — Quick in its motions. Various and vivid in its colors. 



Cumberland House.— Lat. 53° 56' 40" N. Long. 102° 16' 41" W. Nov. 15, 1819. Franklin. 



"The sky had been overcast during the last week ; the sun shone forth once only, and then not suffi- 

 ciently for the purpose of obtaining observations. 



Faint coruscations of the Aurora Borealis appeared one evening, but their presence did not in 

 the least affect the electrometer or the compass." — Franklin, I, 50. 



November 24, 1819. — "The Aurora Borealis had been faintly visible for a short time the preced- 

 ing evening." — Ibid., 51. 



November 28, 1819. — " The Aurora Borealis was twice visible, but faint on both occasions. Its 

 appearance did not affect the electrometer, nor could we perceive the compass to be disturbed." 

 Ibid., 51. 



