620 oN THE LUMINOUS ARCH, OR METEOR, 
lar to the horizon; but in reality inclining to the 
south in their ascent, from 10 to 20 degrees ; 
those in the magnetic north (from the optical de- 
ception) appear absolutely perpendicular to the 
horizon, but those near the east and west of the 
magnetic meridian show their true position, 
namely that of the dipping needle. The east and 
west arches, on the other hand, (such as the one 
on the 3rd ult.) are beams of light stretching 
over the earth horizontally from east to west, 
every-where of the same height above the earth’s 
surface whatever that height may be. 
I have for the last forty years considered both 
arches and beams to be constituted of magnetic 
matter, and in ordinary circumstances invisible ; 
but when a disturbance of the electric fluid takes 
place in the upper regions, these beams, &c. 
serve to convey the electric fluid from one place 
to another to restore the equilibrium, which occa- 
sions the luminous appearances. 
The following accounts of this arch as noticed 
by different observers have been sent to me. 
«“ Mr. Paul Moon James, of Birmingham, favoured me 
with an account of this Aurora as seen at Moseley, near that 
town. Its appearance as described by him was very similar 
