VOL. XXXIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 15/ 



great objection of their appearing in the northern part of the hemisphere, and 

 seldom or never in the southern, is in some measure answered by the appearance 

 on the 26th ; since at least half the arch was in the southern part of the hemis- 

 phere; and perhaps the reason why the light is not seen near the horizon, in 

 the southern part of the hemisphere, may be this, that in clear serene weather, 

 the wind being generally near the north, objects from thence are much more 

 distinctly viewed, and at a greater distance than from the south ; and it is gene- 

 rally known, that lands at a greater distance are most distinctly seen when the 

 winds blow from them. 



And perhaps a cold northerly freezing air may be needful to kindle the vapours, 

 when a contrary motion above, higher in the atmosphere, may carry the sul- 

 phureous vapour, which falling down from the nitrous vapour may be kindled. 

 Which, I suppose, from the undulations of the smoke after the explosion, 

 which seemed, as above, like a stormy sea moving from the s. s. e. Note, the 

 barometer was low for some days before and after it. 



An Account of the Aurora Borealis that appeared Oct. 8, ] 726. By the Rev. 

 Dr. Lang7vith, Rector of Petivorth in Sussex. N° 395, p. 132. 



After describing several of the phaenomena, much as usual. Dr. L. says the 

 north-easterly stream suddenly expanded itself every way ; all its parts began to 

 be in a violent commotion, and its brightness increased to such a degree, that 

 he remembered nothing like it in the former great meteor of this kind. All 

 above it was of a bright flame-colour; but below it was edged with the pris- 

 matic colours, which were full as strong as ever seen in the brightest rainbow; 

 they were not indeed so distinct, as he could only distinguish the red, the yellow, 

 and a dusky bluish green. 



This surprising sight did not last above a minute or two; but when the co- 

 lours vanished here, they began to appear in the north-westerly arch, which was 

 now become a portion of a larger circle than before, and was not elevated so 

 high above the horizon. The colours extended themselves from the north to- 

 wards the west for about 15 or 20 degrees; and though they were not so bright 

 as in the other place, yet they were more steady, and so as easily observed. 

 Their order was the same as before, the red lowermost, and so on. 



In the mean time the streaming lights began to appear in all parts of the 

 heavens, and to form a corona and canopy, which were in all respects like 

 those of the great meteor of 17 If. The streams continued their direction 

 upward towards a point of concourse for a long time after, and formed by fits 

 imperfect circles of pale light about it; this point however was not fixed; for at 

 first it seemed to be in, or very near our zenith; but shifted afterwards. 



