no ROCHESTER ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. [Feb. 8, 



upon the general source of illumination in the auroral mass. As in 

 the case of a rainbow, each observer sees his own arch and conse- 

 quently the elevation will be approximately the same at stations not 

 too far apart to prevent the arch from being seen at all. In this way, 

 also, the differences in the prismatic colors displayed, even at stations 

 quite close together, may be accounted for. Hence the difficulty of 

 employing arches or colors for the estimation of altitude. It is sus- 

 pected that this may be true of streamers also. 



The method of recording the absence as well as the presence of 

 the aurora at each observation has made it apparent, especially in 

 connection with the lesser displays of the month, that even well 

 defined auroras may be confined within quite narrow limits, appear- 

 ing, for example, at southern stations when absent at those directly 

 northward. The aurora thus exhibits a tendency to frequent certain 

 localities, presumably because of some peculiarity of the soil or topo- 

 graphy of the country ; but further observations in regard to this 

 point are desirable. 



Disturbed areas upon the sun, containing both spots and faculae, 

 appeared by rotation on January 4th, 6th, 15th, 21st, aSth, 29th and 

 30th. Thus the dates of auroral display during the month, and the 

 extent of the displays reported, has been in exact conformity with 

 the relations to solar and associated conditions described in the paper 

 upon the Zodiacal Light, copies of which have been distributed gen- 

 erally to observers co-operating, and which may be obtained from 

 the undersigned, from whom, also, blanks and circulars for auroral 

 observations may be had. M. A. Veeder. 



February 8, 1892. Lyons, New York. 



The following is a condensed form of the record slip distributed : 



RECORDS OF OBSERVATIONS OF AURORAS. 



Name and Postoffice Address of Observer, _ 



Latitude and Longitude of Station, _ _ 



INSTRUCTIONS. 



Note the exact time at which an observation is made and always enter the 

 result in the table, stating specifically whether an aurora was seen or not, or 

 if clouds, moonlight, etc., intervene ; note that fact in the proper column. A 

 blank space will be understood as signifying that no observation was made. 

 If but a single observation can be had each evening, the best hour is probably 

 from Q to 10 o'clock p. m. When an aurora is seen give as complete a descrip- 

 tion as possible of its location and of any changes which it may undergo. 



