RECORD OF AURORAL PHENOMENA. 9 



York Factory.— Lat. 51° 2' N. Long. 92° 40' W. Aug. 31 to Sept. 28, 1814. Cim-raLL. 

 "During our stay in Hudson's Bay, and upon our voyage home from thence, our nights were con- 

 stantly illuminated by the most vivid and brilliant coruscations of the Aurora Borealis. 

 Its appearance was very different from that which I have seen in more southern latitudes; resem- 

 bling continual jets of meteoric fire from the northern part of the horizon, which, after darting 

 upwards in long streamers towards the zenith, suddenly collapsed and receded, falling back, in 

 zigzag serpentine lines, with diminished splendor; and ultimately dying away and vanishing 

 from the sight, being succeeded by other jets as beautiful as the first." — Chappell, p. 136. 



N. B. 1. Nights constantly illuminated by most brilliant coruscations. 



2. Very different from that seen in more southern latitudes. 



At Sea.— Lat. 57° 30' N. Long. 45° W. Tuesday, October 3, 1820. Tarry. 



"On the 3d, we observed a more brilliant display than usual of this phenomenon. It appeared at 

 nine p. m. in various parts of the heavens, from E. N. E., round by S., to W. by K, principally 

 consisting at first of many detached luminous patches like clouds, irregularly scattered about, 

 and shifting frequently, though not very rapidly, from place to place. From W. by N. over to 

 the S. S. E., and passing a few degrees to the southward of the zenith, there soon appeared a 

 broad band of light, having a tendency to arch ; and the light of which this consisted appeared 

 to come from the west towards the east. 

 In the E. N. E. quarter, there was a luminous appearance, distinct from the rest, at about 15° or 

 20° of altitude, exactly resembling the light of the moon behind a dusky cloud, except that at 

 times vivid coruscations shot upwards from it towards the zenith. 



At a quarter past ten the phenomenon suddenly became much more brilliant, its general position 

 and character remaining, however, nearly as before. It still appeared chiefly to the southward 

 of the zenith, the arch-like appearance continuing with increased splendor, and accompanied for 

 about a quarter of an hour by a beautifully waving light, of the rapidity and magnificence of 

 which it is impossible to convey any adequate idea. The motion of this light reminded me of 

 the contortions of a snake, except that its velocity was often so great that the eye could with 

 difficulty follow it. The most intense part was of a pale greenish color; the rest nearly white. 



The arch, which before had been stationary, at one time shifted its position, by appearing, as it 

 were, to turn up its legs so as to form a part of a circle seen in perspective in the south, parallel 

 to the horizon. The luminous patch, or cloud, in the E. N. E. increased also very much in 

 brightness at the same time, emitting more vivid coruscations, but continuing, as before, quite 

 distinct from the rest of the phenomenon. 



This Aurora, when brightest, gave nearly as much light as that of a full moon. There could not 

 be the smallest doubt that it dimmed, and even sometimes altogether obscured, the stars over which 

 it passed. We particularly remarked that, wherever there was a broad stream of its light sta- 

 tionary for some time in any part of the heavens, it produced exactly the effect of a curtain ; for 

 we could only distinguish stars of the first and second magnitude through it, while those of 

 inferior brilliancy were visible in great numbers by the side of it. 



In this, as in several previous instances, the Aurora appeared very near us, though it was evidently 

 higher than some clouds which were passing, as might readily be distinguished by the latter 

 intercepting a part of its light. 



The electrometer was tried during the most brilliant part of the phenomenon, but neither on this 

 or on any other occasion, in crossing the Atlantic, did the gold leaf give any indication of 

 electricity; nor was the magnetic needle in the slightest degree affected. 



The arch-like appearance above described was not bisected by the magnetic meridian, but by 

 magnetic N. E. and S. W. 



At a quarter before eleven, the light became less brilliant, and spread more to the northward, and 

 then gradually disappeared before midnight." — 1 Tarry, 306. 

 2 



