RECORD OF AURORAL PHENOMENA. 99 



November 26, 1819. 



"On the 26th, in the morning, some vivid coruscations of the Aurora Rorealis were observed from 

 S. to N. Jr., commencing at 4° or 5° of altitude, and streaming toward the zenith." — Ibid., p. 118. 



December 14, 17, 1819. 



"On the 14th of December, the day was beautifully serene and clear, and there was more redness 

 in the southern sky about noon than there had been for many days before ; the tints, indeed, 

 might almost be called prismatic. 



At 6 p. m., the Aurora Borealis was seen forming two concentric arches, passing from the 

 western horizon on each side of the zenith to within 20° of the opposite horizon, resting on a 

 dark cloud about seven degrees high, from behind which the light appeared to issue, and par- 

 tially streaming from the cloud to the zenith. No effect was produced by it on the electrometer 

 or the magnetic needle. 



The appearance I have just described of the light seeming to issue from behind an obscure cloud, 

 is a very common one ; it is not always, however, easy to tell whether any cloud really exists, or 

 whether the appearance is a deception arising from the vivid light of the Aurora being contrasted 

 with the darker color of the sky near it. 



Ou the 17th, in the morning, this phenomenon was again observed, being a stationary faint light 

 from S. W. to W. S. ir." — Ibid., p. 121. 



N. B. — 1. At 6 p. 111. Aurora formed two arches. 



2. Passing from western horizon on each side of zcuith. 



3. Resting ou a dark cloud, 



4. From behind which light seemed to issue. 



5. No effect produced on electrometer or needle. 



6. The appearance of light seeming to issue from behind a cloud is a very common one. 



December 19, 1819. 



"On the 19th, the weather being tine and clear, the Aurora borealis appeared frequently at different 

 times of the day, generally from the south to the W. N. W. quarters, and uot very vivid. From 

 eight p. m. till midnight, however, it became more brilliant, and broke out in every part of the 

 heaveus, being generally most bright from S. S. W. to S. W., where it had the appearance of 

 emerging from behind a dark cloud about five degrees above the horizon. 

 We could not, however, help feeling some disappointment in not having yet witnessed this beautiful 

 phenomenon in any degree of perfection which could be compared to that which occurs at Shet- 

 land, or in the Atlantic, about the same latitude as these Islands." — Ibid., p 122. 



N. B. — 1. Aurora appeared frequently at different times of the day. 



2. Generally from S. to the W. N. W. quarters ; not very vivid. 



3. From 8 p. m. to 12, more brilliant. 



4. Most bright from S. S. W. to S.W., 



5. Where it appeared to emerge from behind a dark cloud. 



6. We had not yet witnessed this beautiful phenomenon in any degree of perfection. 



December 20, 1819. 



"On the morning of the 20th, the Aurora Borealis again made its appearauce in the N. W., which 

 was more to the northward than usual. It here resembled two small bright clouds, the one 

 nearly touching the other, and being about seven degrees above the horizon. These remained 

 quite stationary for half an hour, and then broke up into streamers shooting rapidly towards the 

 zenith."— Ibid., p. 122. 



January 8, 1820. 



"At half-past five p. 111. on the 8th, the Aurora Borealis was seen forming a broken and irregular 

 arch of white light, 10° or 12° high in the centre, extending from N. by W., round by W., to 

 S. S. E., with occasional coruscations proceeding from it towards the zenith. It continued thus 

 for an hour, and reappeared from eight o'clock till midnight in a similar manner, making, how- 



