2Q RECORD OF AURORAL TIIENOMENA. 



issuing from the horizon, and before it has attained an altitude sufficient to give it an arched 

 form. 



The arches of the Aurora most commonly traversed the sky nearly at right angles to the magnetic 

 meridian, but the deviations from this direction, as has been already stated, were not rare ; and 

 I am inclined to consider that these different positions of the Aurora have considerable influence 

 upon the direction of the needle." — 1 Franklin, 550. 

 "In one instance only, a complete arch was formed in the magnetic meridian; in another, the beam 

 shot up from the magnetic north to the zenith ; and, in both these cases, the needle moved towards 

 the west. 



The needle was most disturbed on February 13, p. m., and at a time when tire Aurora was dis- 

 tinctly seen passing between a stratum of clouds and the earth, or at least illuminating the face 

 of the clouds opposed to the observer. 



This and several other appearances, recorded in the accompanying notes, induced me to infer that 

 the distance of the Aurora from the earth varied on different nights, aud produced a proportionate 

 effect on the needle. 



"When the light shone through a dense hazy atmosphere, when there was a halo round the moon, 

 or when a small snow was falling, the disturbance was generally considerable; and on certain 

 hazy, cloudy nights, the needle frequently deviated in a considerable degree, although the Aurora 

 was not visible at the time. 



Our observations do not enable us to decide whether this ought to be attributed to an Aurora con- 

 cealed by a cloud or haze, or entirely to the state of the atmosphere. Similar deviations have 

 been observed in the daytime, both in a clear and cloudy state of the sky, but more frequently 

 in the latter case. 



Upon one occasion, the Aurora was seen immediately after sunset, whilst the bright daylight was 

 remaining. 



A circumstance to which I attach some importance must not be omitted. Clouds have been some- 

 times observed during the day to assume the forms of the Aurora, and I am inclined to connect 

 with the appearance of these clouds the deviation of the needle, which was occasionally remarked 

 at such times. 



An Aurora sometimes approached the zenith without producing any change in the position of the 

 needle, contrary to the general effect, whilst at other times a considerable alteration took place, 

 although the beams or arches did not come near the zenith. The Aurora was frequently seen 

 without producing any perceptible effect on the needle. At such times its appearance was that 

 of an arch or an horizontal stream of dense yellowish light, with little or no internal motion." — 

 1 Franklin, 551. 

 "I have not heard the noise ascribed to the Aurora, but the uniform testimony of the natives and of 

 the residents in this country induced me to believe that it is occasionally audible. The circum- 

 stance, however, must be of rare occurrence, as is evidenced by our having witnessed the Aurora 

 upwards of two hundred times without being able to attest the fact. I was almost inclined, 

 last year, to suppose that unusual agitations of the Aurora were followed by storms of wind ; 

 but the more extended opportunities I enjoyed of observing it in 1821, at Fort Enterprise, 

 have convinced me that no such inference ought to have been drawn." — 1 Franklin, 552. 



Fort Enterprise.— Lat. G4° 28' 24" N. Long. 113° C W. January— May, 1821. Franklin. 



" Notices of the Appearances of the Aurora at Fort Enterprise, extracted from Captain Franklin's 

 Journal. — The following appearances of the Aurora Borcalis were noted at the times when 

 the position of the horizontal needle was observed. They have been described as they appeared 

 to the eye, without any regard to perspective. The bearings of the terminations of the arches 

 or beams, are reckoned from the magnetic north towards the east and south, round the whole 

 circle. 



Jan. 12, 1821, midnight. A very faint arch in the zenith, lying 324° and 144°. The sky cloudless. 



14th. At 1h. 30m. p. m., the Aurora first appeared in a patch bearing 279°, from which darted a 



