EXPEDITION TO POINT BARROW, ALASKA. 369 



broken arches in every variety of convolution spread extensively over the sky, being propagated 

 from the E. toward the W., and being brightest in the S. and W. Declination and vertical force 

 increased and the horizontal intensity decreased. Ended at 10 a. in. 



December 20, 1881, 1 a. m. to 10 . m. Very pale and, irregular in shape and position. Seldom 

 si complete arch appeared, and when it did its outlines" were- mostly very undefined and its con- 

 tinuance very brief. The sky was very hazy, so that it was only near the zenith that the phe- 

 nomenon could be observed. At 9 a. in. a. narrow but bright arch formed in the XE. and rose 

 rapidly toward the zenith. As it rose it displayed a peculiar intermittent kind of activity, espe- 

 cially when it reached the zenith. Pulsations of intense vibratory motion passed along it from 

 oMW. to SE. in direction of its length at short intervals, each succeeded by brief intervals of qui- 

 escence. Once it reached the zenith it began to fade, or, rather, its outlines became indistinct, 

 and it slowly passed down to the southward, when it changed into the usual luminous haze. The 

 magnets at this time showed great increase in vertical force and decrease in horizontal intensity. 

 Previously, at C a. m., they showed another period of disturbance, although scarcely any aurora 

 was visible. There was at no time a brilliant display, but during most of the time the magnets 

 were as much disturbed as during the most brilliant ones. 



December 20 and 27, 1881, 11 p. m to 1 a. m. A faint arch running from 2f. to E. very low 

 down appeared behind the haze, and afterwards traces of light and portions of bauds were observed 

 in various parts of the sky near the zenith, until about 7 a. m. the 27th. The night was however 

 so cloudy and hazy, that its characteristics could not well be observed. 



December 27 and 28, 1881, 11 p. m. to 1 p. m. A faint diffused arch appeared low down in 

 the NE., which remained with but very little change for several hours. This aurora lasted with 

 several periods of intermission until 1 p. in. of the 28th, but there was no brilliant display of 

 either light or color. Occasional arches arid parts of arches formed in various parts of the sky, 

 but they were always pale and of brief duration. The only noticeable peculiarity of this aurora 

 was the extent and brightness of the luminous haze. It covered most of the sky, and at times 

 assumed a peculiar stratified appearance, like numerous polar bands very close together. Some- 

 times it broke up into patches of deeper density, and sometimes was so diffused as to almost 

 disappear. At 3 a. in. the magnets were considerably disturbed, the unifllar being strongly 

 deflected to the east. 



December 29, 1881, 4 a. m. to 2p. m. First appeared as narrow bands running from the SE. 

 towards the zenith, which soon rose and spread over the sky, assuming the usual hazy and diffused 

 character. Bands, rays, and partly formed arches appeared from time to time, but presented no 

 marked features worthy of notice. There was no apparent internal motion and no variety of color. 

 At 8 'a. in. it was at it.s brightest, and covered the greatest extent of the sky, but did not reach a 

 brightness exceeding 2. The magnets were however a good deal disturbed, the vertical force and 

 eastern declination increased and horizontal intensity decreased. These conditions continued 

 with but slight change until 10 a. m., after which the magnetic disturbance decreased, and the 

 auroral light faded away, but did not entirely disappear. Traces of it were visible until about 

 2 p. in. 



December oO, 1881, 1 a. >n. to 1 a.m. Traces of aurora seen through haze at 1 a. m., but it was too 

 cloudy to observe either its beginning or ending. 



January 1, 1882, 7 a. m. to 1 a. m. Traces of aurora bauds seen through the clouds at 7 a. m. 

 Beginning or ending not observed, owing to cloudiness of weather. 



January 2, 1882, 4.1.3 a. m to 10.30 a. t. -^-Narrow arch running from W. to SE. low down toward 

 the southern horizon. Very little motion, and brightness about 2. It rose very slowly toward 

 zenith where it became broken up, and assumed the diffused character. After this it maintained 

 a fluctuating existence until 10 am. At 8 a. in. a few rather bright streamers appeared in the N., 

 and extended themselves across the sky toward the SE. but soon faded away. Magnets were 

 slightly disturbed. 



January 3, 1882, 7 . m. to 9 a. in. A few patches appeared at intervals between 7 a. m. and 9 

 a, m. None of them were bright ; all were irregular in shape and seemed to start from no point in 

 particular but apparently seemed suddenly to burst out of the sky and alter flickering for a short 

 time, disappeared. Magnets were slightly disturbed. 

 II. Ex. M -17 



