446 EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



tible, as I and others noticed in the occultation of Jupiter. 

 The part of the ring last emergent appeared flattened or 

 shorter than the opposite portion, doubtless from the greater 

 contrast of light or from irradiation. I think the former was 

 the cause, as some disproportion continued after Saturn was 

 clear of the moon, and distant from the edge about the dia- 

 meter of its (Saturn's) own orb. The atmosphere was better 

 than the average for the early time of the night, and I doubt 

 not some good observations will have been made. 



NOTE ON APPEARANCES OF MARS, 1862. 

 Proc. Astronomical Society, Dec. 12, 1862. 



MR. GROVE, in a letter dated November 5, 1862, gives an 

 account (illustrated by three pencil sketches) of the appear- 

 ances presented by the planet Mars on October 26 and 31, 

 and November 3. The telescope used was 4^ inches aperture ; 

 focal length, 6 feet 2 inches ; object-glass by Cooke, of York, 

 capable of dividing 77 Corona. He is perfectly satisfied of 

 there being notable changes in the distribution of the lights 

 and shadows, inconsistent, it appears to him, with their being 

 due to land and water, or, as he should perhaps say, land and 

 water only ; clouds condensed over large aqueous districts 

 might possibly account for the changes observed ; the changes 

 of position by axial revolution would not explain them.* 



THE AURORA BOREALIS OF 1870. 



Ftom 'Nature,' Nov. 1870. 



I SHALL be obliged if you will put on record a few scattered 

 notes which I took of the splendid Aurora Borealis of Oct. 25, 

 seen from Arthingworth, Northamptonshire. When I first 

 observed it, at half-past five P.M., a crimson glow extended in 



* This notice requires the sketches, and I cannot find them. W.R.G., 1874. 



