1832] WRITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. 71 



losophy, and the Journal of the Royal Institution. It was 

 seen at Paris, and at Brussels. A particular description is 

 given of its appearance in Utrecht, by Prof. Moll. On in- 

 specting the Reports for 1831, 1 find that an aurora was seen 

 in the State of New-York, at places in the extreme east and 

 west part of the State — at North-Salem on the cast side of 

 the Hudson river, and Fredonia near Lake Erie; and inter- 

 mediate to these places, at Utica, and Pompey. The Annals 

 also mention that faint auroras were seen on the evening 

 preceding and following, and also an aurora on the 11th. 

 An aurora was noticed at several places in New York on the 

 evening of the 6th, but none on that of the 8th or 11th. 



No auroras are mentioned in the Annals under the mete- 

 orology for February, but three are noticed for March; the 

 first, an interesting one, appeared on the 7th ; the second, on 

 the 8th; and the third, a bright one, on the 11th. By refer- 

 ring to the Reports of the Regents, it will be seen that au- 

 roras were observed on the same evening in several places 

 in the State of New York. 



The next aurora mentioned in the Annals is that of the 

 19th of April, which has been the principal subject of this 

 paper. An interesting account is given of its appearance in 

 England, which states that at one time there was a grand 

 display of about ten long active streamers along an arch of 

 the aurora, several of which ascended to an altitude of sixty 

 degrees; and when most active, many passed beyond the 

 zenith, exhibiting at the same time several prismatic colors. 

 At 10 o'clock, the arch of the aurora extended 150 degrees. 

 The extensive appearance of this aurora in the State of New 

 York, and the magnetic disturbance accompanying it, have 

 already been sufficiently described. 



The above co-incidences appear too numerous to admit the 

 supposition that they are merely accidental, particularly 

 when it is recollected that there are manj'^ causes to prevent 

 the co-temporaneous appearance of an aurora being recorded 

 at two distant places, although it exists at both. While it is 

 observed at one place, it may be obscured by clouds, or may 

 escape the notice of the meteorological observer, at the other. 



