A SUN-CROSS. i g 



which pass unperceived before the eyes of those who know not how to 

 observe. I recollect having once beheld at Jersey a magnificent phenomenon 

 of this nature, on the 24th June, 1877, at eight o'clock in the evening: 

 it was a column of light which rose above the sinking sun like a sheaf of fire. 

 I was walking on the St. Helier pier, where there were also many promenaders, 

 but there were not more than two or three who regarded with me this mighty 

 spectacle. Columns and crosses of light are much more frequent than is 

 commonly supposed, but they often pass unperceived before indifferent 

 spectators. We will describe an example of this phenomenon observed 

 at Havre on the 7th May, 1877. The sun formed the centre of the cross, 

 which was of a yellow, golden colour. This cross had four branches. The 

 upper branch was much more brilliant than the others; its height was 

 about 15. The lower branch was smaller, as seen in the sketch on 

 page 2, taken from nature by Monsieur Albert Tissandier. The two 

 horizontal branches were at times scarcely visible, and merged in a streak 

 of reddish-yellow colour, which covered a large part of the horizon. A 

 mass of cloud, which the setting sun tinged with a deep violet colour, 

 formed the foreground of the picture. The atmosphere over the sea was 

 very foggy. The phenomenon did not last more than a quarter of an hour, 

 but the conclusion of the spectacle was signalized by an interesting circum- 

 stance. The two horizontal branches, and the lower branch of the luminous 

 cross, completely disappeared, whilst the upper branch remained alone for 

 some minutes longer. It had now the appearance of a vertical column rising 

 from the sun, like that which Cassini studied on the 2ist May, 1672, and 

 that which M. Renon * and M. A. Guillemin observed on the I2th July, 

 I876.J" Vertical columns, which, it is well known, are extremely rare 

 phenomena, may therefore indicate the existence of a luminous cross, which 

 certain atmospheric conditions have rendered but partially visible. 



How often one sees along the roads little whirlwinds of dust raised by 

 the wind accomplishing a rotatory movement, thus producing the imitation 

 of a waterspout ! How often halos encompass with a circle of fire the sun 

 or the stars ! How often we see the rainbow develop its iridescent beauties 

 in the midst of a body of air traversed by bright raindrops ! And there 

 is not one of these great natural manifestations which may not give rise 

 to instructive observations, and become the object of study and research. 

 Thus, in walks and travels alike, the study of Science may always be 

 exercised ; and this method of study and instruction in the open air con- 

 tributes both to health of body and of mind. As we consider the spectacles 

 which Nature spreads before us, from the insect crawling on the blade 

 of grass, to the celestial bodies moving in the dome of the heavens, we 

 feel a vivifying and salutary influence awaken in the mind. The habit 



* Detailed accounts in Vol. Ixxxiii., pp. 243 and 292 of "La Nature*" 

 t See "La Nature? 4th year, 1876, 2nd half-year, p. 167. M. A. Guillemin mentions, 

 in connection with the phenomenon of July I2th, 1876, the presence of light masses of cloud 

 of a greyish-blue colour, similar to those perceived in the phenomena just described. 



