45 



from east to wt-st with a bright, -wcll-clcfiued belt of greyish white, extending 

 from horizon to horizon, and passing a little south of the zenith. There was no 

 appearance of aurora in the northern horizon, but the phenomenon was un- 

 doubtedly auroral in its character. 



Skaneateles, New York. — August 24. — A singular aiirora appeared from 9 

 to 11 p. m., in the form of a single belt, dividing the hemisphere into two eq[ual 

 parts. The eastern portion of the bow moved slowly southward. 



Bu^alo, New York. — August 24. — Anuncommou auroral phennomenon was 

 •visible here August 24, at about 10 o'clock p. m. It consisted of a luminous 

 bow extending from fifteen to twenty degrees above the horizon north of the 

 star Arcturus, passing a little north of Corona through Lyra and Cyguus, aud 

 easterly as far as Andromeda. At its lowest extremity, which appeared to be 

 its commencement, it was very luminous and much more dense than the tail of 

 a comet. It made its appearance almost suddenly and my first impression was 

 that it Avas one of those wanderers paying us an imexpected visit. I soon dis- 

 covered that it varied in intensity, and overhead slight scintillations were visi- 

 ble. At the extremity above named it was only a degree or two in width, 

 but as it extended upwards to Lyra and Cygnus it was fifteen to twenty degrees 

 wide and continued about the same to its furthest extremity, where it became 

 very thin and rare. The wind was blowing gently from the south, but the whole 

 of this arch moved in an opposite direction. There was but very little auroral 

 light in the northern horizon, no clouds to be seen, but summer-lightning all 

 around. During the twenty minutes that I viewed this phenomenon there were 

 several small meteors visible. To-day (25th) at noon, we had a tempest, after 

 which much wind from the southwest. — Henry Mills. 



Wilson, Neiv York. — August 24. — Aurora made a fine display to-night, 

 •commencing at 9.45 o'clock, by showing a beam of white light in the W.NW, 

 from the horizon to 45^ high; also faint diffused light in the north. At 10 

 o'clock the beam had extended completely over the heavens from W.NW. 

 to E.SE. by E., forming a brilliant bow or band of light from horizon to 

 horizon, Avith a slight inclination to the south. At each end the bow seemed to 

 touch the horizon by a fine point, (a little the more distinct at tho westerly 

 end,) and gradually expanded to the zenith, where it was about one degree in 

 width. There was hardly any change except that it gradually grew fainter till 

 11 o'clock, when there was only a trace to be seen. 



Rochester, Neio York. — August 24. — Splendid auroral arch spanned the 

 heavens at 10^ p. m., south of zenith, from S. of E. to X. of W. when in zenith, 

 aud was a bright white band or arch of fine shining fibres; disappeared at east 

 first, then higher up, till at 11 it was gone. All over the north was the glow of 

 the brightest and most magnificent white canopy of light I ever saw. — [Dewey.) 



Pi,ochester, New York. — August 24. — Shortly before 10 p. m. discovered a 

 beautiful luminous arch of auroral light, two degrees in Avidth, extending en- 

 tirely over from NW. to SE. When first seen it was one continuous stream of 

 light, but subsequently broke into several parts, which soon became united 

 again to complete the arch. At times these portions Avould reunite by a general 

 moA'ement eastward, but at others by the spaces betweeiJ them becoming rcillu- 

 minated, thereby restoring the whole line. The eastern third remained more 

 intact. At 10.30 the AA'estern half only remained, and that much narroAver. At 

 lip. m. all had disappeared. During the Avhole evening there have been frequent 

 tlashes of lightning at the north, though A-ery few clouds Avere A'isible, the 

 northern sky having more the appearance of moderate aurora borealis. At the 

 centre the baud was about two degrees in width, tapering nearly to a point at 

 each extremity. — [Matheics.) 



Falmyra, New York. — August 24. — Ten minutes after 10 p. m., discovered 

 an aurora, consisting of a perfect arch, extending from the horizon at NW. to 

 the horizon at the SE., of a uniform white color, retaining the same apparent 



