Proceedings, 53 



Mr. Cudwortb exhibited two specimens of a fungus {Hel- 



veil a). 



Mr, T. P. Newman made some observations on tbe Aurora 

 BoREALis, and made especial reference to certain appearances 

 in the sky seen at Eeigate, known as Polar Bands. The 

 following is an abstract of his remarks : — 



One of the principal characters of the Aurora Borealis is 

 its variation. Not only does it vary in form, but in colour, 

 in height, and especially in intensity. And according to the 

 intensity of the display, so does the distance vary from which 

 it can be observed. The position whence it can be seen with 

 the greatest regularity and in its greatest beauty is a zone a 

 little within the Arctic circle, but stretching wider east and 

 west, and especially west, than north and south, that is, 

 almost an ellipse, having for its centre a point about midway 

 between the pole and the magnetic pole. As the observer 

 goes south from this maximal zone, the displays diminish in 

 number and intensity, but they are still frequently seen until 

 he comes to a zone which may be drawn through Edinburgh; 

 south of that line Auroral displays are comparatively rare. 

 In all this region, including points lying in the maximal zone, 

 the crown of the arc — the Aurora is generally seen in the 

 form of an arc— appears in the magnetic north, and the 

 farther north the observer travels towards this zone the 

 higher in the zenith will the arc appear. A little within 

 the maximal zone, another line may be drawn where the 

 Aurora may be seen directly overhead ; and again, a little 

 within this line, and the arc is seen to be in the south. 

 Within this line the displays rapidly diminish, both in fre- 

 quency and intensity, though it is improbable that they are 

 altogether absent from any point within it. 



In the year 1839 a great Aurora took place, which was 

 observed in Italy, as well as in Cuba, and at New Orleans, 

 in Connecticut, and so over a large portion of the Northern 

 Hemisphere. The distance at which a display is seen depends 

 more upon its height than upon its intensity. The contour 

 of the globe makes it impossible for any display to be seen ■ 



