G8 RECORD OF AURORAL PHENOMENA. 



tion, the only recommendation of which, perhaps, is, that it was written immediately after 

 witnessing this magnificent display. 



Innumerable streams or bands of white and yellowish light appeared to occupy the greater part of 

 the heavens to the southward of the zenith, being much the brightest in the S. E. and E. S. E., from 

 whence it had, indeed, often the appearance of emanating. Some of these streams of light were 

 in right lines like rays; others crooked, and waving in all sorts of irregular figures and moving 

 with inconceivable rapidity in various directions. Among these might frequently be observed 

 those shorter collections or bundles of rays which, moving with even greater velocity than the 

 rest, have acquired the name of the 'merry dancers,' which, if I understand aright the descrip- 

 tions given of them by others, I do not think I ever saw before. 



In a short time, the Aurora extended itself over the zenith about half way down to the northern 

 horizon, but no farther, as if there was something in that quarter of the heavens which it did not 

 dare to approach, About this time, however, some long streamers shot up from the. horizon in 

 the N. W., which soon disappeared. 



While the light extended over part of the northern heavens, there were a number of rays assuming 

 a circular or radiated form near the zenith, and appearing to have a common ceutre near that 

 point, from which they all diverged. The light of which these were composed appeared to have 

 inconceivably rapid motion in itself, though the form it assumed, and the station it occupied in 

 the heavens, underwent little or no chauge for perhaps a minute or more. 



Suppose, for instance, a stream of light to have occupied a space between any two of the stars, by 

 which its position could be accurately noticed, the light appeared to pass constantly and instan- 

 taneously from one to the other, as if, when a portion of the" subtle fluid of which it is composed 

 had made its escape and vanished at the end next one of the stars, a fresh supply was uninter- 

 ruptedly furnished at the other. This effect is a common one with the Aurora, and puts one in 

 mind, as far as its motion alone is concerned, of a person holding a long ribbon by one end, 

 and giving it an undulatory motion through its whole length, though its general position remains 

 the same. One of the most striking of the various locomotive properties of the Aurora is that 

 which it often has laterally, by which I mean in the direction perpendicular to its length. This 

 motion, when compared with the other, is usually slow, though still very rapid in the 'merry 

 dancers,' which seem to observe no law with regard to the rest of the phenomenon. When the 

 streams or bands were crooked, the convolutions took place indifferently in all directions. 



The Aurora did not continue long to the north of the zenith, but remained as high as that point 

 for more than an hour; after which, on the moon rising, it became more and more faint, and at 

 half past eleven was no longer visible. The color of the light was most frequently yellowish- 

 white, sometimes greenish, and once or twice a lilac tinge was remarked when several strata, as 

 it were, appeared to overlay each other by very rapidly meeting, in which case the light was 

 always increased in intensity. 



The electrometer was tried several times, and two of Kater's compasses exposed upon the ice during 

 the continuance of this Aurora, but neither was perceptibly affected by it. 



We listened attentively for any noise which might accompany it, but could hear none ; but it was 

 too cold to keep the«ears uncovered very long at one time. 



The intensity of the light was something greater than that of the moon in her quarters. Of its 

 dimming the stars, there cannot, I think, be a doubt. We remarked it to be, in this respect, 

 like drawing a gauze veil over the heavens in that part, the veil being most thick when two of 

 the luminous sheets met and overlapped. 



The phenomenon had all the appearance of being full as near as many of the clouds commonly 

 seen, but there were none of the latter to compare tham with at the time. 



I may, in conclusion, remark that, notwithstanding the variety and changeableness displayed by 

 this Aurora, there was throughout a perceptible inclination in the various parts of it to form an 

 irregular arch from E. by N. over to S. W. by W." — Ibid., pp. 142-144. 



N. B. — 1. Magnificent display. 



2. Electrometer not affected. 



3. Listened attentively, but could hear no noise. 



4. Intensity of light greater than that of the moon in her quarters. 



5. Aurora appeared to be fully as near as many of the clouds commonly seen. 



