4-j RECORD OF AURORAL PHENOMENA: 



December 1, 1S20. 



"During the day the sky kept tolerably clear, a slight appearance only of the stratus being visible 

 near the horizon; but a snow, whose particles were so minute as to be discerned only in the sun- 

 shine, fell at intervals during the forenoon. At noon the snow was more apparent, and a bow 

 was produced in the neighborhood of the sun's place in the heavens. At 8 p. m., wind E. N. E , 

 light, with a very clear sky. 



The Aurora commenced by a beam shooting up from the northern horizon; afterwards, masses of 

 light appeared in various parts of the sky, particularly in the eastern quarter; and at length an 

 arch leas formed from S. E. to N. W. 



The centre of the arch, when it was first formed, lay to the northward of the zenith, but afterwards 

 passed gradually to the southward. 



When about 60° above the southern horizon, it assumed the falcate appearance described on the 

 24th of November, the pointed tails directed towards the north. The falciform processes some- 

 times separated laterally, so as to appear like parallel beams crossing the line of direction of the 

 arch obliquely. Their altitude was not altered at the moment of their separation. 



At times the general arch was dispersed, and a number of small arches formed whose ends occa- 

 sionally rolled inwards upon themselves in form of a scroll. 



The whole body of light ultimately descended below the southern horizon and disappeared. Not 

 a cloud was visible during the evening." — Ibid., p. 601. 



December 4, 1820. Temp. —25°. 



"The Aurora forming a broad arch of bright light; its centre about 45° south of the zenith, and its 

 extremities bearing S. E. and N. W. respectively. 

 It passed gradually to the southward and disappeared." — Ibid., p. G02. 



December 5, 1820. Temp. —26°. 



"The Aurora to-night had its light disposed in large masses, having indefinite shapes, situated in 

 various parts of the sky, but most crowded in the southern quarter. 

 There were several layers of dark clouds uear the horizon. 



The Aurora was visible in various spots where no stars were to be seen, but several of the larger 

 stars were visible through a bright arch which at one time crossed the zenith having a direction 

 from north to south." — Ibid., p. 002. 



December 6, 1820. Temp. —14°. 



"Aurora in an arch form ■passing from S.E. to N. W. over the zenith, broad towards its middle, 

 but narrow and spirally twisted near the horizon. Stars appeared through it without any per- 

 ceptible diminution of their brilliancy." — Ibid., p. 002. 



December T, 1820. Temp. —26°. 



" At ten p. m., the Aurora formed an arch, broader towards its middle, and emitting a denser light 

 from its southern edge, but becoming fainter by imperceptible degrees towards its northern edge, 

 until it disappeared altogether. Its upper or northern edge lay near the zenith. 

 As its limbs approached the horizon, they became more slender, and assumed a twisted appearance. 

 The stars appeared very dimly through the more dense parts of the Aurora.' 1 '' — Ibid., p. G03. 



N. B. The stars appeared very dimly through the more dense parts of the Aurora. 



December 8, 1820. Temp. —30°. 



"At llh. p. m., sky very clear, and the stars brilliant. A well-formed arch of light crossed the 

 zenith, extending from N. W. to S. E. 

 It moved slowly to the southward, broke up into several irregular masses of light, and disappeared. 

 At midnight, there was no appearance of Aurora." — Ibid., p. G03. 



December 9, 1820. Temp. — 3G°. 



"The Aurora made its first appearance at nine o'clock p. m. near the horizon, in the N". W. by N., 

 and shot over to the S. W., forming several concentric arches, the uppermost of which passed a 

 little to the southward of the zenith. 



