194 Scientific Intelligence. — Meteorology. 



self, maintained that the action of the aurora is exercised in a 

 sensible manner, even in places where it is not seen. This as- 

 sertion was keenly contradicted in England. Several very re- 

 markable examples of auroras observed toward the north, at 

 periods marked beforehand by M. Arago, have, however, 

 continued to render his assertion more and more probable. 

 The observations very recently sent by the Professor of Ca- 

 san, confirm in the most satisfactory manner the truth for which 

 science is indebted to M. Arago. These observations present, 

 in fact, a perfect coincidence between the motions observed at 

 Paris in the magnetic needle and the auroras seen at Casan. 

 M. Arrago remarked, that the influence exercised by the au- 

 roras seen at Casan upon the needle, which was very remark- 

 able on account of the distance between the two places, is ren- 

 dered still more so when it is considered, that there is every 

 reason to think that Casan is not subjected to the influence of 

 the same magnetic pole as Pai*is. A great number of magnetic 

 phenomena, in fact, appear incapable of being explained by the 

 admission of a single magnetic pole, and there is every reason 

 to believe, that, in Siberia, there exists a particular pole, which 

 exercises its influence upon all the neighbouring regions. 



4. Rain at Bombay. — During a late monsoon at Bombay, 

 we are informed there fell from 113 to 116 inches of rain. 



GEOGRAPHY. 



5. M. Kupfer's Journey to Siberia. — M. Arago lately an- 

 nounced to the Academy of Sciences, that M. Kupfer, the na- 

 tural philosopher and mineralogist, has been directed by his go- 

 vernment to undertake a journey to Siberia. He will be accom- 

 panied by several distinguished philosophers. A corps of troops 

 is to accompany the travellers, who will have to traverse regions 

 where this precaution will be necessary for their safety. 



HYDROGEAPHY. 



6. Level of the Caspian. — Mr William Monteith lately made 

 a series of observations with Fahrenheit's thermometer in boil- 

 ing-water, at different heights on the shores of the Black Sea 

 and the Caspian Sea. At the level of the Caspian Sea, water 

 boiled at 212° 75' : the barometer stood at 28.7'".!,; hence the 

 surface of the Caspian is 375 feet below the level of the sea. 



