RECORD OF AURORAL PHENOMENA. 



On the 7th of April, an arch was visible to the southward, exactly similar to that in the north, and 

 it disappeared in fifteen minutes. It had probably passed the zenith before sunset. 



The motion of the whole body of aurora is from the northward to the southward, at angles not 

 more than 20° from the magnetic meridian. The centres of the arches were as often in the 

 magnetic as in the true meridian. 



The colors do not seem to depend on the presence of any luminary, but to be generated by the 

 motion of the beams, and then only when that motion is rapid, and the light brilliant. The 

 lower extremities quiver with a fiery red color, and the upper with orange. We once saw violet 

 in the former." — Franklin, I, 541. 



N. B. — Height of the aurora. 



Cumberland House.— Lat. 53° 56' 40" N. Long. 102° 16' 41" W. Winter of 1819-20. Hood. 



" The number of aurora visible in September was 2 ; in October 3 ; in November 3 ; in December 5 ; 

 1819: in January 5; in February 7; in March 16 ; in April 15; in May 11; 1820. 



Calm and clear weather was the most favorable for observation ; but it is discernible in cloudy 

 weather, and through mists. We could not perceive that it affected the weather. The magnetic 

 needle, in the open air, was disturbed by the aurora, whenever it approached the zenith. Its 

 motion was not vibratory, as observed by Mr. Dalton ; and this was, perhaps, owing to the 

 weight of the card attached to it. It moved slowly to the east or west of the magnetic meridian, 

 and seldom recovered its original direction in less than eight or nine hours. The greatest extent 

 of its aberration was 45'. 



A delicate electrometer, suspended at the height of fifty feet from the ground, was never percep- 

 tibly affected by the aurora, nor could we distinguish its rustling noise, of which, however, such 

 strong testimony has been given to us, that no doubt can remain of the fact. 



The conclusions to be drawn from the above will be found in the observations for the winter of 

 1820."— Franklin, I, 543. 



(At Cumberland House, the aurora always to the north of east and west.) 



N. B. — Number of aurora noticed. Magnetic needle disturbed. Electrometer never affected. 

 No rustling noise distinguished. 



Cumberland House.— Lat. 53° 56' 40" N. Long. 102° 16' 41" W. Variation 11° 17' 31" E. 

 October 23, 1819, to June 30, 1820. Hood. 



" From the 23d of October to the 25th of November, the aurora was not visible, or it did not appear 



before 1 a. m. 

 November 26th. At 1 a. m., an aurora, arched like a rainbow, about 20° high; centre bearing 



north ; color pale yellow, faint. At 8 p. in., a very faint arch, centre north. 

 December 6th. At 10 p. m., a faint-arched aurora, centre north by east. 

 8th. A similar aurora, centre north, at 10 p. m. 



9th. At 11 p. m., an arched aurora, centre north; color light yellow, very bright. 

 12th. At 8 p. m., an arched aurora, centre north; color light yellow, faint." — Franklin, I, 543. 



Upper Portage, near Knee Lake.— Lat. 55° 14' 2" N. Long. 94° 21' 54" W. September 

 24, 1819. Franklin. 



"At seven in the morning of the 24th, we crossed the Long Portage, where the woods, having 

 caught fire in the summer, were still smoking. 



We afterwards crossed the Second, or Swampy Portage, and in the evening encamped on the Upper 

 Portage, where we were overtaken by an Indian bringing an answer from Governor Williams 

 to a letter I had written to him on the 15th, in which he renewed his injunctions to the gentle- 

 men of the boats accompanying us, to afford us every assistance in their power. 



The Aurora Borealis appeared this evening in a A T . W. and S. E. direction." — Franklin, I, 35. 



