396 Miscellantes. 
16. Aurora Borealis of February 18, 1837.—A very beautiful 
display of Northern Lights was witnessed on the night of the 18th 
February last, at London, Belfast, Paris, Gottingen and many other 
places in Europe. At Gdttingen it was visible from 7 P. M ull 
2 A. M of 19th inst., and according to the observations of Goip- 
SCHMIDT,* produced a very sensible disturbance of the magnetic 
needle. The range of the needle’s variation was about 20’, and its 
movements rapid. 
It is an interesting fact, that on this same evening the Aurora Bo- 
realis was visible at this place, (distant 83° of long. from Gottingen,) 
and that its effect on the magnetic needle here was very manifest. 
Soon after sunset, the east to the altitude of 40° was tinged witha 
faint purple color, and from the end of twilight until about 9 P. M, 
a broad indefinitely-bounded zone of a dim red, spanned the heavens 
from east to west. It was however too indistinct to attract much 
attention. At 9h. 15m. P. M. mean time, a region about 10° wide 
and 15° high, (having its center at N. 30° E.,) was lighted up with 
a beautiful rose-red. Without any perceptible change of position, 
this illuminated region was visible till 11 P. M., (when the observa- 
tions ceased,) often varying in intensity from a deep rose-red to a 
faint and scarcely appreciable stain. During this time, no auroral 
light was seen in any other part of the sky. The needles of a Va- 
riation Transit and of a theodolite were first inspected at 9h. 20m. 
and the north end of each was then found about 15/ east of its usual 
position at this hour. At 9h. 22m. the variation reached its maxi- 
mum, viz. 35/ east of the mean.t From this period until 11 P. M., 
the needle moved back and forth, at times with considerable rapid- 
ity, and almost wholly on the eastern side of its mean direction. 
The times above given are uncertain within three minutes. 
New Haven, Conn. 
17. The Production of Galvanic Music.—The following experi- 
ment was communicated by Dr. C. G. Page of Salem, Mass., in a 
recent letter to the editor. From the well known action upon masses 
of matter, when one of those masses is a magnet, and the other 
some conducting substance, transmitting a galvanic current, it might 
have been safely inferred (a priori,) that if this action were prevented 
by having both bodies permanently fixed, a molecular derangement 
would occur, whenever such a reciprocal action should be estab- 
* Lilnstitut, April 5, 1837. + IN. 5° 55) W. 
