R ECO R D OF A U R ORAL P 11 E N O M E X A. 17 



Hudson's Bay.— Lat. 62 = 45' 44" N. Long. 72° 24' W. September 20, 1824. Lyon. 



"At noon we obtained observations, and in the evening made the coast, which we neared suffi- 

 ciently before dark to discern to be the North Bluff, from whence at 8 p. m. we took a departure 

 and steered southeast. 

 Along the shore, a great number of very large bergs were observed, apparently aground, as if 



driven to the northern land by the recent southerly winds. 

 We sailed past several during the night, which was exceedingly bright and fine, the stars shining 

 with uncommon brilliancy, and the Aurora being unusually splendid."— Lyon (Voyage), p. 134. 

 N. B — Aurora unusually splendid. 



Fort Reliance.— Lat. 62° 46' 29" N. Long. 109° 00' 38" W. 1833-34, 1834-35. Back. 

 "The observations on this phenomenon [the Aurora Borealis] were made, without interruption, during 

 six mouths in the years 1833-34, and five months in the years 1834-35; but, as their entire 

 insertion would occupy too much space here, I have selected chiefly the instances possessing the 

 greatest interest from the effect produced by them on the needle, and from the brilliancy and 

 eccentric motions of the coruscations. 

 That the needle was constantly affected by the appearance of the Aurora, seems evident from the 

 facts thus stated ; and, on one occasion, indeed, this effect exceeded eight degrees. I abstain, 

 however, from drawing any inferences on this subject, and merely note down carefully, and with 

 as much precision as possible, the whole of the phenomena. 

 Brilliant and active coruscations of the Aurora Borealis, when seen through a hazy atmosphere, 

 and exhibiting the prismatic colors, almost invariably affected the needle. On the contrary, a 

 very bright Aurora, though attended by motion, and even tinged with a dullish red or yellow, 

 in a clear blue sky, seldom produced any sensible change, beyond, at the most, a tremulous 

 motion. 



A dense haze or fog, in conjunction with an active Aurora, seemed uniformly favorable to the dis- 

 turbance of the needle; and a low temperature was favorable to brilliant and active coruscations. 

 On no occasion, during two winters, was any sound heard to accompany the motions. 



The aurora was frequently seen at twilight, and as often to the eastward as to the westward. 

 Clouds, also, were often perceived in the daytime, in form and disposition very much resem- 

 bling the Aurora." — Back, p. 595. 



N. B.— 1. Needle constantly affected by appearance of the Aurora. 



2. Aurora frequently seen at twilight; as often to the eastward as westward. 



3. Clouds often seen in daytime in form of Aurora. 



Fort Reliance.— Lat. 62° 46' 29" N. Long. 109° 00' 38" W. October 28, 1833. Back. 



"At 5h. 30m. p. m., while occupied in taking the transit of a star, I perceived the coruscations 

 streaming from behind a detached and oblong dark cloud in a vertical position at E. by S. 

 [magnetic bearing]. They issued along an undulating arch 38° high, and spread themselves 

 laterally in beams north and south. Another arch, brighter and narrower than the former, 

 suddenly emerged from W. by N., and passed between a nearly horizontal black cloud and the 

 stars, which were then not visible through the Aurora. I immediately looked at the needle, 

 and fonnd it slightly agitated, but not vibrating; on returning, I was surprised to see the dark 

 horizontal cloud to the westward not in the same shape as before. It had now taken a balloon 

 form, and was evidently fast spreading towards the zenith. On looking to the eastward, I 

 perceived that a dark cloud there also was rapidly altering its appearance. 

 So unusual a sight induced me to call my companions, Messrs. King and McLeod, and we saw the 

 dark broad mass from the westward gradually expand itself, so as to meet the other, which was 

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