98 RECORD O P A U R ORAL THE N M E X A , 



November 9, 1819. 



" On the same evening, the weather being fine and clear, the Aurora Eorealis was seen for nearly 

 two hours, forming a long, low, irregular arch of light, extending from north to south in the 

 western quarter of the heavens, its altitude in the centre being 3° or 4°. The electrometer- 

 chain was hoisted up to the masthead, and its lower end brought down to the ice, so as to keep 

 it perfectly clear of all the masts and rigging, which method was used throughout the winter ; 

 but no sensible effect was produced on the gold leaf. It was tried a second time, after the sky 

 became full of white fleecy clouds, but with as litlle success." — Il)id., p. 115. 



November 12, 1810. 



"The thermometer having fallen to — 31°, we expected to have seen the sun again, and looked out 

 from the masthead for that purpose, but it did not reappear. 

 At six p. m., the Aurora Borealis was seen in a broken irregular arch, about G° high in the centre, 

 extending from N. W. by N. to S. by W., from whence a few coruscations were now and then 

 faintly emitted towards the zenith." — Ibid., 115. 



November 13, 1819. 



"From eight p. m. till midnight, on the 13th, it was again seen in a similar manner from S. W. to 

 S. E., the brightest part being in the centre, due south." — Ibid., p. 115. 



November 15, 1819. 



"On the 15th, Lieutenant Beechey informed me that he had seen, in the N. N. W. and S. E. quarters, 

 some light transparent clouds, from which columns of light were thrown upwards, resembling the 

 Aurora Borealis; those to (he S. E., being opposed to a very light sky, had a light-brown 

 appearance." — Ibid., p. 115. 



N. B. — 1. Light transparent clouds N. N. W. and S. E. 



2. From which columns of light were thrown upwards, 



3. Resembling the Aurora Borealis. 



November 16, 1819. 



"This phenomenon was again observed on the IGth, consisting of a bright stationary light from 

 S. S. W. to S. by E., and reaching from the horizon to the height of about G° above it." — 

 Ibid., p. 11G. 



November 17, 1819. 



"At three p. m. a remarkable variety of the Aurora Borealis was seen by several of the officers. 

 Having about this time been confined for a few days to my cabin by indisposition, I am 

 indebted to Lieutenant Beechey for the following description of it : — 

 'Clouds, of a light-brown color, were seen diverging from a point near the horizon, bearing S. W. 

 by S., and shooting pencils of rays upwards at an angle of about 45 : with the horizon. These 

 rays, however, were not stationary as to their position, but were occasionally extended and 

 contracted. From behind these, as it appeared to us, (lashes of white light were repeatedly 

 seen, which sometimes streamed across to the opposite horizon ; some passing through the zenith, 

 others at a considerable distance on each side of it. 

 This phenomenon continued to display itself brilliantly for half an hour, and then became gradually 

 fainter till it disappeared about four o'clock. The sun, at the time of the first appearance of this 

 meteor, was on nearly the same bearing, and about 5 C below the horizon.'" — Ibid., pp. llfi— 17. 



X. B. — 1. Remarkable variety of Aurora Borealis. 

 2. Clouds of a light-brown color. 



November 18, 1819. 



"The stars of the second magnitude in Ursa Major were just perceptible to the naked eye a little 

 after noon this day, ami the Aurora Borealis appeared faintly in the southwest at night." — 

 [bid., p. 117. 



