374 EXPEDITION TO POINT BARROW, ALASKA. 



existence until 10 a. in. of the 15th, after which it was no more seen. Needles, as usual, reading 

 irregularly. 



February 15 and 10, 1882, 11.30 #. m. to 1 a. m. Began as faint light behind the clouds on tho 

 NW. horizon, and afterwards an occasional band or arch was dimly visible in the zenith through 

 the clouds and were apparently for the most part stationary, and the last time they were visible 

 was 7 a. in. of tho 16th. 



:-u:iry 17, 1882, to 10 a. m. Time of beginning could not be ascertained, owing to tho 



cloudiness, nor could the extent be observed from the same cause. Was last, seen at 10 a. in. 



February 18, 1882, 1 a. m. to . First observed at 1 a. in., but owing to the increasing cloud- 

 iness no proper observation of its extent or brilliance could bo had. Bauds and whorls were some- 

 times visible in and near the zenith, where they seemed in or very near to the haze or thin cloud. 

 To the eye they seemed below it, but this could not be really the fact or more of their length would 

 have been visible than what appeared in the zenith. After 5 a. in. the clouds were too thick for 

 any light to get through. 



February 19, 1882, to .Beginning or ending could not be observed, owing to tho 



cloudiness. The display seemed to be quite brilliant, however, at times as its light could be seen 

 through the clouds, although no stars could be seen at the time. The magnets were, as usual, con- 

 siderably disturbed. 



February 20, 1882, to . Time of beginning not observed, owing to the cloudiness, 



and only occasional glimpses of it were had during the night, when in tho zenith. Needles dis- 

 turbed. 



February 20 and 21, 1882, 11.30 p. m. to 10.30 a. m. This was a rather brilliant display and ex- 

 hibited somewhat more motion than has been usual for some time. It commenced as pale nebu- 

 lous patches, sometimes iu the NE., in N., and NW., but always rose rapidly and cnlmiuatcd in the 

 zenith, after reaching which it remained stationary for a time, sometimes flashing and gyrating, 

 and then gradually fading into a luminous haze to the southward. At "> a. iu. of the 21st, the 

 whole sky for about 60, on each side of the zenith, was filled with light which looked like a lumin- 

 ous cloud. There were periods of activity lasting about half au hour, with similar intervals of 

 quiescence, which constituted a succession of waves which culminated in or near the zenith. Con- 

 tinued until obliterated by daylight, about 10.30 a. in. 



February 22, 1882, 1 a. m. to 10.30 a. m. First appeared as luminous patches in the NE., which 

 soon rose aud formed a narrow, faintly luminous arch and rose slowly to the zenith, where it broke 

 up into numerous patches which, after a time, faded away in a kind of luminous haze to the south- 

 ward. Faint arches and patches thus succeeded each other at short intervals until a little before, 

 the dawn, when they entirely faded away. 



February 23, 18S2, 2 a. m. to 10.20 a. m. Begun as usual, very faint in the NE,, and the usual 

 succession of phenomena occurred. Narrow arches were found to be succeeded by whorls, patches, 

 and nebulous haze, but on the \yhole there was more activity than has been displayed for some 

 days. Occasional rays appeared and several imperfect coronas were formed. At .">.!."> a. in. one of 

 these was quite brilliant. Numerous faint rays appeared converging in I'rsa Major, then S. of 

 zenith. The motion was very rapid and some Hashes of color appeared green, yellow, and rose. 

 The general motion during the display, aud for some time before and after, was from S. to N. ; the 

 arches generally appearing as patches in the S. or SE. and were propagated to the northward. 

 The display lasted, with periods of intermission, till daylight. The magnets were considerably 

 disturbed. 



February 23, 1882, 11.30 p. m. to . Began in the usual manner in the NK., but although 



several faint corona' were formed they were not so brilliant as on the previous evening and ihen> 

 was besides considerably more diffused light and luminous haze. 



February 2-1. 1>SS2. 12. .'!0 a. m. to 10 a. m. Appeared first as faint patches, which developed into 

 faint, narrow bands and irregular arches, aud faded away into the usual luminous haze. At no 

 time was this display very brilliant, nor did it apparently pass through any of the active stages. 

 The bands often broke into detatched masses which were scattered irregularly over the sky. Dis- 

 appeared before the advance of the dawn at 10 a. m. The needles were disturbed. 



February 2."j, 1.SS2, 2 a. m. to 10 a. m. Commenced in the uMial way in the NE., but seldom 



