VOL. XXXIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 185 



Chester, WeyiTiGuth, Portland, Portsmouth, Purbeck, and several other places 

 in Dorsetshire, that it caused the doors to fly open, shook down pewter ofF 

 the shelves, and was felt in some ships that lay in the harbours. 



Another reason is, that some gentlemen viewing this appearance, on the tops 

 of their houses at Little Chelsea, plainly perceived a sulphureous smell in the 

 air. Another thing which concurs with what has been said, is, that several 

 persons heard a hissing, and in some places a crackling noise, in the time of 

 the streaming, like what is reported to be often heard in earthquakes. 



The same observed at Southivick in Northamplonshire. By George Lynn, Esq. 

 N" 398, p. 253. 



This evening appeared an aurora borealis, full as remarkable as that in March 

 1716, though varying in form; it began about 6 at night to be light in the 

 north, with streaks proceeding from it, and spread gradually both towards the 

 east and west, the south being still very clear; but before 7 it left all the 

 northern parts, except towards the zenith, and covered all the southern. Soon 

 after which, there appeared a white arch proceeding from east to west, passing 

 near the zenith, but more south, which seemed fixed for a time; but about 10 

 minutes past 7 was dispersed, and immediately succeeded by a kind of glory ol 

 an oval form, the longer axis from east to west, rather south of the zenith, 

 with rays shooting up from all parts, and interchanging swiftly, for about 15 or 

 20 degrees from it ; the rest of the heavens, except the north, which still con- 

 tinued very clear, affording various phasnomena. In the east there was a quick 

 succession of columns of the iris colours, inclinable to white, the west to pur- 

 ple, and about the south-west, for a good space, appeared almost a blood red 

 coruscation, which continued 5 or 6 minutes. 



These appearances in a quarter of an hour became less remarkble; though 

 the aurora continued most of the night, and afforded a light generally equal to 

 the moon in its quadratures. Looking with a telescope at Jupiter, his satellites 

 and belts appeared as plain through the aurora, as if the sky had been perfectly 

 clear. 



A Register of Observations of the Aurora Borealis for 4 Years at Lynn. By 

 Mr. Wm. Rastrick. N° SQS, p. 255. From the Latin. 



The appearances of the aurora borealis were observed as follows, viz. 

 On Feb. ig, 1722, at half past 10 in the evening. 

 March 15, 1722, from 8 in the evening till midnight. 

 August 20, 1723. 

 VOL. VII. B B 



