Miscellanies. 393 
From this hour, until daybreak, seventeen others fell, all of which, 
with a single exception, were small, many faint, and of the appear- 
ance of “shooting stars” as they are generally termed, such as are 
seen on any clear evening. The other was large and brilliant, re- 
sembling the one first mentioned, but appeared at a greater height, 
though accompanied by a beautiful train of sparks. These seventeen 
seemed to fall towards the southeast and southwest. ‘Three flashes 
of lightning were distinctly visible at distant intervals of time, on the 
very edge of the southern horizon. A stratum of faint clouds, like 
mist, overhung that portion of the horizon, unlike the cloud which 
always accompanies the aurora borealis. The rest of the sky was 
clear and bright and the atmosphere delightfully serene. Although 
in all, there were but eighteen meteoric bodies, yet the circumstances 
and time seemed clearly to denote the mysterious return of that gor- 
geous shower which attracted such universal attention. 
You will observe that the space of time was from half past four 
o’clock to daybreak, about two hours. Perhaps the phenomenon I 
had the pleasure of witnessing was only the conclusion of a greater 
display. With sentiments of respect, yours, &c. 
oun Lewis Russet. 
14. Auroral Appearance.*—A a quarter past nine o’clock on 
Sunday night the eighth day of May, in the present year, my attention 
whilst regarding the heavens was forcibly attracted to the sudden 
appearance due east of a shining broad column of light. 
At first, as my window overlooks the bay of Toronto and the low 
island which separates it from the lake, I took this singular pillar of 
light for the reflection from some steamboat on the clouds, but hav- 
ing sought the open air on the gallery which commands a full view 
of the bay and of Ontario, I was convinced that the meteor was an 
* Toronto, Upper Canada, Dec. 3d, 1836. 
0 Professor Silliman.—As every thing relating to meteorology is of impor- 
tance and should be recorded, I have sought amongst my papers, for some notices 
of a singular appearance in the sky on Sunday evening the eighth of May, 1836, 
which I had overlooked, but which I new think it right | to coferanyncaye to your 
Valuable Journal, wherein latterly 
been much dieassed. I have been led to seek more after eae of wit- 
Hessig and recording these appearances in the heavens, from having read the 
Tvations on solar and lunar columns, halos, the aurora and auroral clouds,” 
by Professor Joslin, of Union College, State of New York, whom I[ beg to thank 
for his politeness in sending me his work. Very apne yours, 
BoNNYCASTLE. 
Vou. XXXII.—No. 2. 50 
