290 Lhe Aurora Borealis or Northern Lighis. 
Science, Vol. xvi, No 1,)that the whole quantity of rain which 
fell, within that time, was 132.6 inches ; and from my obser- 
vations made in Vermont, for the last three years, the quan- 
tity of water, which has fallen is 189.9 inches—difference, 
57.3 inches. I believe, however, so great a difference would 
not be found by a long series of observations, made at both 
places, for the seasons have been unusually humid in Ver- 
mont, during the three years above mentioned. 
From thirty years’ observation, I am confident that light- 
ning, thunder, and hail, in summer, are far less severe in the 
tricts, situated in the same degrees of latitude. The eleva- 
ted peaks, probably, serve as conductors, which convey the 
electricity from the clouds without shocks; and almost uni- 
versally, when the lightning strikes the earth, it occurs in 
vallies, or on the sides of mountains, far below their highest 
points, 
~ In conclusion, I would remark, that notwithstanding the 
= quantity of rain, which fell during the last summer, in 
ermont, some of our crops were abundant. The grass and 
hay crop, perhaps were never better. Indian corn, potatoes 
and some garden vegetables were light. Spring wheat, rye 
and oats suffered severely by blight. 
Fayetteville, Vt. May 1, 1829. 
Art. XIV.—Speculations with respect to the cause of the 
urora Borealis or Northern Lights. 
Various have been the attempts to account for this phe- 
nomenon ; as yet no satisfactory theory has been offered to 
the public, most of the essays on the subject, being destitute 
of a sufficient number of facts on which to erect any lasting 
hypothesis. : 
f the positions herein taken as true, are, as they are be- 
lieved to be, founded on admitted facts, some progress will, 
erhaps, have been made in explanation of a subject hitherto 
so obscure. The first question that presents itself is, what 
reali 
, 
reads the heavens, assimilates it in this appearance, to no 
thee wuls pea | 
