RECORD OF AURORAL PHENOMENA. 15 



The display of light was generally confined to the northern part of the sky, between the true N. E. 

 and S. W. points, usually at a low altitude ; and the Aurora was observed extending to the south- 

 ward on four occasions only. This, as well as the circumstance of the magnetic needle being 

 but slightly affected by the presence of the Aurora during the winter at that place, appears to me 

 to be deserving of notice, as affording an indication that the seat of the phenomenon lies more to 

 the northward ; and were I to venture an opinion as to its probable situation, I should say between 

 the latitudes 64° and 65° N., or about the position of Fort Enterprise [lat. 64° 28' 24" N., 

 113° 6' W.], because the coruscations were as often seen there in the southern as in the northern 

 parts of the sky, and I should consider that latitude the most favorable in this part of the globe 

 for making good observations on this interesting phenomenon." — 1 Franklin, 553. 



N. B. — 1. Had but little effect on the needle. 



2. Generally confined to the northern part of the sky, between the true X. E. and S. W. 



points. 



3. Extended to the southward on four occasions only. 



4. Seat of the phenomenon more to the northward. 



5. Its situation probably between 64° and 65°. 



G. At Fort Enterprise, coruscations seen as often in the south as the north parts of the sky. 

 7. That latitude most favorable for observations on the aurora. 



Davis's Strait.— Lat, Gl° 37' N. Long. 52° W. August 26, 1851. Dr. Sutherland. 



"In the evening the wind veered round to X., and freshened up from almost a perfect calm to a 

 smart breeze. The spars of the 'Sophia' again began to feel it, as she scudded before it at the 

 rate of five or six miles an hour. 

 At midnight, the whole sky was one living fire of Aurora Borealis. It far exceeded anything that 

 we had seen in much higher latitudes during winter. The surface of the sea was sometimes illumi- 

 nated so much, that had there been objects on the horizon at a distance of several miles, they 

 would have been plainly visible." — Dr. Sutherland, II, 346. 



Davis's Strait.— Lat. 61° 58' N. Long. 54° 40' W. August 25, 1851. Dr. Sutherland. 



"The temperature of the water was increasing almost hourly as we came down the Strait, and now 

 it was up so high as 47°, while that of the air was only 48°. In the evening, there was much 

 rain, and the sky was densely overcast. 



There were all the indications of a southwesterly storm; but towards midnight they all disap- 

 peared, the blue sky opened out, and a most brilliant Aurora Borealis danced from the horizon to 

 the zenith. 



It was really pleasant to behold the broad gleaming bands folding like curtains of the richest and 

 finest woven silken fabric. The color varied every moment from red to white, and from yellow 

 to a slight tinge of green, verging into purple, which became lost in the red. 



From the sudden appearance of this beautiful phenomenon, we hardly expected fine weather or a 

 favorable wind, more especially as the barometer was too high for westerly winds." — Dr. Suther- 

 land, II, 345. 



Faroe Islands. — Lat. 62° N. Treveltan. 



"Mr. Trevelyan observed, that the Aurora Borealis in Faroe and Shetland was often seen very low, 

 not more than forty or fifty feet above the level of the sea; and he learned that in both countries 

 it is frequently heard. 

 In Faroe, Mr. Trevelyan met one person who stated that, when the color of the Aurora Borealis 

 is dark red, and extends from west to east with a violent motion, he had experienced a smell 

 similar to that which is perceived when an electric machine is in action." — Am. Journ. Sci., 

 VIII, 392; from Edinb. Phil. Journ., Vol. VII. 



