RECORD OF AURORAL PHENOMENA. 



were not in winter always apparent on every clear or starlight night." — Voyage to Hudson's 

 Bay, II, 11. 



N. B. — 1. Seldom appeared from the N. W. or N. E., but generally from the N. 



2. At the same time, another light from the S. W., streaking towards the zenith. 



3. Aurora something more frequent in winter than the summer months. 



Near York Factory.— Lat. 57° 2' N. Long. 93° W. Winter of 1T46-T. Ellis. 



"The air of this country is never, or, at least, is very seldom clear. In the spring and fall of the 

 year there are heavy wet fogs, and in the winter the air is full of an infinite number of icy spicula, 

 that are visible to the naked eye, especially if the wind be northerly or easterly, and the frost 

 severe; the reason of it is this, wherever the water is clear of ice; in the winter there arises a 

 very thick vapor, commonly called frost smoke; this vapor freezing is driven by the wind in the 

 form we see it. 



All the beginning of winter, Port Nelson River was unfroze in the stream ; this lying to the 

 northward of us, the wind blowing from that point, constantly brought with it showers of these 

 icy particles, which disappeared when it was froze. 



Hence, also, frequent mock suns and halos about the moon and sun, very luminous and beautifully 

 tinged, with all the colors of the rainbow, are very common. Six of these parhelia, or mock 

 suns, I have seen at one time, which to us was very surprising." — Ellis, p. 171. 



"The true sun also rises and sets there with a large cone of yellow light, perpendicular to it; and 

 no sooner does it disappear than the Aurora Borealis spreads a thousand different lights and 

 colors over the whole concave of the sky, with so resplendent a beauty that even the full moon 

 docs not efface their lustre. But, if the moon does not shine, these lights are much more appa- 

 rent, for one may then read distinctly by them, and the shadows of objects are seen upon the snoiv, 

 tending to the southeast, as the light shines brightest in the opposite quarter where it rises, 

 and whence the rays thereof are propagated over the whole face of the sky, with a waving kind 

 of motion. 

 The stars seem in this country to burn with a fiery redness, especially those near the horizon, 

 which strongly resemble a fire, or a ship's light at a distance." — Ibid., p. 172. 



N. B. — 1. One may read distinctly by the aurora, when the moon does not shine. 



2. The light shines brightest in the N. W. 



3. Whence rays are propagated over the sky. 



York Fort.— Lat. 57° 2' N. Long. 93° W. 1772-1780. ILmfreville. 



" [York Fort, where I resided eight years, lies in the lat. of 57° 2' N., long. 93° W. from London, 

 as determined by Mr. Philip Turner, a gentleman employed by the company to make astro- 

 nomical observations within the limits of Hudson's Bay. Page 11.] 



In the coldest weather, the atmosphere is the most serene. Throughout the day, the air is gene- 

 rally tilled with icy particles, which are small beyond conception. These are driven about in the 

 direction of the wind, and adhere to everything which happens to be in the way of their progress. 



In the evening, the stars begin to shine with refulgent lustre, and the contemplative mind is struck 

 with reverence and awe to see the Aurora Borealis darting, with inconceivable velocity to all 

 parts of the heavens. 



Very few winter nights pass in Hudson's Bay without this phenomenon making its appearance. 

 Sometimes the irradiations are seen of a very bright red, at other times of a pale, milky color, 

 undulating with every beauty it is possible to conceive or describe." — Umfrcville, p. 23. 



N. B. — 1. In coldest weather, atmosphere most serene. 

 2. Very few winter nights without the aurora. 



