EXPEDITION TO POINT BARROW, ALASKA. 371 



the declination was irregular, being sometimes easterly and sometimes westerly. After 

 was over the light greatly laded aud finally disappeared about 10 a. in. 



January !> <ind 10, 1SS2, 10 p. m. to 1.50 . m. Appeared as a quite still arch, low down in tho 

 NE., with the dark segment distinctly visible below it. About 113 in. it had risen almost to zenith 

 and grown considerably brighter, but at no time did the brightness exceed 2. There was some 

 slight vibratory motion, but it soon began to fade, and after nearly disappearing brightened up 

 aud formed a broad irregular arch, running from the NW. through Gygnus, through the zenith and 

 down through Cauis Minor, displaying considerable vibratory motion ; this was at 1 a. m. of the 

 10th. At 2 a. m. all had disappeared. Magnets very little disturbed. 



January 10 and 11, 1882, 11 p. m. to 8 a. m. Traces of hazy light appeared low down in the E.; 

 afterwards succeeded by several faint arches, which rose slowly and generally faded or became 

 very diffused as thej' approached the zenith. At 3 a. m., llth, a bright broad arch ran from NW. 

 to SE. through Cygnus, Ursa Major, and Leo. Several whorls and patches succeeded until about 

 8 a. in., when all had disappeared. 



January 13, 1882, 11 p. m. to 12 m. Auroral arches observed through the clouds and drifting 

 snow near the zenith between 11 p. m. and 12 m. 



January 14 and 15, 1882, 10 j). m. to 12 midnight. Pale narrow arch appeared low down in the 

 NE., which rose slowly and as it approached the zenith was succeeded by others below, flocculent 

 patches and much diffused light at the same time in various parts of the sky. This condition of 

 arches, patches, and bands and diffused light constantly changing, but the general features remain- 

 ing the same, continued till 10 a. in., after which they became paler and entirely disappered at 12 m. 



January 15, 1882, 10^. m. to 0.30 a. m. The usual low arch appeared in the NE. with the dark 

 segment for a time clearly visible, but as the arch arose the segment disappeared. This arch rose 

 very slowly, but presented an appearance of an extremely rapid internal quivering while numerous 

 short rays fringed its upper side which swayed and flickered like the flame of burning alcohol. A 

 succession of similar arches followed until 5 a. m. They were all pale, and after the latter hour 

 only a few patches were visible, and all had disappeared at 0.30 a. in. 



January 17, 1882, 1 a. m. to 1 a. m. Faint low arch in NE. remained stationary for a time aud 

 then rose slowly and became broken up and diffused; sometimes it entirely disappeared for a time, 

 reappeared as occasional patches and curtains which maintained a fluctuating existence until 7 

 a. in. when it had disappeared. 



January 17 and 18, 1882, 10 p. m. to 8 a. m. Quiet arch low in NE. It rose very slowly, and 

 about 2 a. in. 18th, had reached the zenith where it had broken up into sundry bands and patches 

 which soon faded away into an extensive luminous haze which continued until about 8 a. m. 



January 19, 1882, 1 a. m. to 4 a. m. Traces visible through rents in the clouds near zenith at 

 1 a. m. and 4 a. in. 



January 20, 1882, 4 a. m. Several bands in the zenith visible through rents in the clouds at 

 4 a. m. 



January 21, 1882, 4 a. m. to 4.30 a. m. At 4 a. m. the sky which had been previously cloudy sud- 

 denly cleared up and a pale arch appeared extending from NW. to south and elevated about 20 

 above the SW. horizon. After rising slowly for a few minutes it suddenly burst into a state of 

 intense activity, and at the same time moved rapidly toward the zenith, the distance between the 

 head of Orion and the zenith being passed over in about five minutes. Numerous swirling rays 

 ran along it shooting upwards and apparently converging toward Capella. A kind of compressed or 

 foreshortened corona was formed, and from the rapidly changing swirls aud convolutions various 

 brilliant colors flashed out, green, pink, rose, aud yellow being the prevailing tints. The magnetic 

 instruments were strongly deflected. The horizontal force decreased, the vertical intensity in- 

 creased and tho easterly declination increased. The sky became clouded at 4.30. No more was 

 observed. 



January 23, 1882, 12 a. m. to 10 a. m. A patch of flocculent light appeared near the horizon 

 in the NE. Others soon after appeared and several times approached the arch form until 1' a. m. 

 From that time there was a peridd of cessation until 4 a. in., when a f;tinl arch appeared to the 

 S. and moved slowly up toward the zenith, when 1 it divided into a broad series of bands running 

 from N. to SE. After a time the, ditlused condition succeeded, and remained until 10 a. in. 



