‘Aurora Borealis of November 16, 1835. 135 
them, gradually diminished in brilliancy from their source near 
the horizon till their arrival at the zenith, which was their ge- 
neral vanishing point. ; 
‘The horizontal range of the aurora during this unusual dis- 
play was eastward as far as Jupiter, whose azimuth from the 
north was then about 75°; and perhaps about the same ex- 
tent westward on the other side of the pole star. 1 observed 
it stretch to beyond @ Lyre (Vega), whose azimuth from the 
north was about 60°, but could not very well ascertain the 
position of the western extremity at the place where I was 
standing, on account of the reflexion of the gas light in Lon- 
don mixing with that of the aurora, and the intervention of 
trees, &c. 
This extensive ocean of light, which illuminated nearly half 
of the visible heavens, and whose waves rolled with the rapidity 
of thought, lasted about eight or ten minutes, perhaps longer, 
when they gradually began to disappear, and the aurora to 
contract in all its dimensions. Until this time (nearly half 
past nine) no dense nucleus had marked the centre of the 
aurora: the stars were seen between the horizon and the lu- 
minous base as decidedly, though not so clear, as if no au- 
rora were present. ‘The star Benetnasch, in the tip of the tail 
of the Great Bear (y Ursae Majoris), was one of those which 
were observed below the aurora; but Mizar (g Ursze Majoris), 
then on the meridian below the pole, was seen in the bright 
arched base of the streamers and waves. 
The last-mentioned change in the appearance of the aurora 
brougbt it gradually to that state which is usually exhibited 
in some period or another of this boreal phenomenon. The 
dense black nucleus began to form, and soon curtained the 
stars which had previously twinkled in that segment of the 
northern sky. The luminous margin also, its usual attendant, 
became well defined, and its highest point was well marked to 
the westward of the meridian, perhaps nearly in the magnetic 
north. I now walked on, keeping the aurora in view, which 
shot occasional streamers from various parts of the luminous 
arch. Just before I entered Woolwich, about ten o’clock, 
another fine display of vertical streamers spread over the 
northern sky, and continued for nearly a quarter of an hour. 
By this time I reached home; but too late to ascertain their 
effect, if any, upon the magnetic needle, for they faded away 
very rapidly after my arrival, and before eleven the aurora 
had entirely disappeared. 
under to Mrs. Swiony, who also saw these waves, for a more happy de- 
scription of them than any I had before thought of. ‘They appeared to 
this lady as “ waves of thin smoke or steam, behind which was placed a 
strong light.” A more expressive description could not possibly be given. 
