198 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. November 



We afterwards learnt that during this period the 

 4 Discovery ' in her protected position experienced calm 

 and cold weather, only one light puff of wind from the 

 south-east reaching her at noon of the 26th. As her 

 highest temperature was minus 10°, I conclude that the 

 warm blast of air which raised our temperature to 19° 

 passed up Kobeson Channel from the southward with- 

 out entering Discovery Bay. 



1 During the forenoon a streak of aurora was ob- 

 served passing through the zenith in a north and south 

 direction ; it consisted of a continuous straight ribbon 

 of fairly bright diffused light with distinctly marked 

 edges extending to within about eight degrees of each 

 horizon. The stars shone through the aurora as plainly 

 as those in any other part of the heavens, and the sky at 

 the border of the ribbon was not darkened in appearance. 



' 21th . — The weather having become settled, leaving 

 an unusually clear sky even for this cloudless region, 

 with calm weather and a temperature of minus 15°, 

 everyone was induced to prolong his usual walk. 



'28th. — At 1a.m. a bright streak of aurora, composed 

 of detached feathery streams, stretched across the zenith 

 in a north and south direction, extending to within about 

 twenty degrees of each horizon. At the same time, 

 bearing S.E., there were several bright flashes forming 

 an arch with a darkly shaded sky below. 



8 The streams in the zenith, judging by their lateral 

 motion as they passed overhead towards the south, 

 were apparently not far from the earth ; in passing 

 they partially hid the stars from view, somewhat in the 

 same manner as a fine cumulus cloud would have done. 



' This is the brightest aurora we have experienced 



