IV PREFACE. 



introductory remarks. The classification adopted 

 is that which has seemed most closely to accord 

 with the advanced views of the time; and through- 

 out the Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms a uniform 

 system has been employed, so that similar subdi- 

 visions are designated by a cognate nomenclature. 



January, 1854. 



THE AURORA BOREALIS SEEN AT SACRAMENTO 

 16 Aurora Borealis was seen on the night of 16th 

 scember, about half-past 11 o'clock, at Sacramento, 

 is described as having been a beautiful exhibition, 

 id is supposed to be the first that has been observed 



this country since it became an American State. 

 le Union remarks on the phenomenon '-Jtf^ ^7 

 To the observer on Second street, the aurora first 

 ipeared in a northeasterly direction, presenting every 

 tpearance of an extensive fire, and, therefore, creating 

 general alarm and turning out of the entire apparatus 



the Fire Department. The phenomenon extended 

 adually and rapidly over the northern section of the 

 javens, the dominant hue being a beautiful crimson. 

 a duration was probably only about fifteen minutes; 

 it during that time its aspect was frequently changed 

 7 the successive appearance and shifting of streak? 

 columns of white light, which seemed to be more 

 inspicuous at either extreme of the arch. 



SNOW \EiiEAS. ^While perambulating over the 

 ep snqws, lyingpdn the mountains everywhere 

 ousdlus . weJHave often observed myriads of 

 ^pvering the surface in almost every 

 )nr curiosity being excited, we have 

 to examine them more minutely, 

 to be what we call (in the absence 

 name) snow fleas. They closely, 

 the regular flea, both as regards action 

 d appearance, but are not over half the size, 

 hile watching them we have seen them burrow 

 neath the snow to the depth of an inch, and 

 d reappear with all the sprightliness of the 

 ck biting tribe ; so far as we have been able to 

 irn; they derive their sustenance from the 

 ow exclusively, never having observed them 

 any other substance. Can any one inform 

 more fully of the nature oLthese beasts ? $ 

 i Porte Messenger. **r** M m*> 



o- 



