408 



observed very widely throughout our globe, accompanied (as is in- 

 variably the case) with excessive disturbances of the magnetic needle. 



The interest attached to these appearances is, if possible, enhanced 

 by the fact, that at the time of their occurrence a large spot might 

 have been seen on the disc of our luminary, a celestial phenomenon 

 which we have grounds for supposing to be intimately connected 

 with auroral exhibitions and magnetic storms. 



The auroral displays just mentioned were very attentively observed 

 throughout Europe, America, and Australia. In many places these 

 were of the most gorgeous character, and other places were visited 

 by this meteor where its appearance was an event of very rare occur- 

 rence. Even from as low a latitude as Cuba we have a description of 

 it by the Director of the Havannah Observatory, accompanied with 

 the remark that only four previous displays had been recorded in 

 the traditions of the island. In not a few instances telegraphic com- 

 munication was interrupted owing to the current produced in the 

 wires ; and in some cases this proved so powerful that it was used 

 instead of the ordinary current, the batteries being cut off and the 

 wires connected with the earth. The descriptions of this meteor, 

 given by various observers, have been collected together by Professor 

 Loomis, and published in a series of papers communicated by him to 

 the American Journal of Science and Arts. From all these accounts 

 there appears to have been two great displays, each commencing at 

 nearly the same absolute time throughout the globe ; the first on the 

 evening of the 28th of August, and the second on the early morning 

 of the 2nd of September, Greenwich time. 



Magnetic disturbances of unusual violence and very wide extent 

 were observed simultaneously with these displays. These were re- 

 corded more or less frequently at the different Observatories ; but at 

 Kew there is the advantage of a set of self-recording magnetographs, 

 which are in constant operation, and by means of which the state of 

 the elements of the earth's magnetic force may be known at any 

 moment. 



The author then refers to curves, which accompany his paper, and 

 shows that the first disturbance commenced about 10^ on the 

 evening of August 28th, affecting all the elements simultaneously. 

 At about 1\ P.M., 29th August, the violence of this disturbance had 

 somewhat abated, and things remained nearly in this state until 



