EXPEDITION TO POINT BARROW, ALASKA. 377 



and often small canopies or imperfect coronas were formed in the zenith. Tlic culminating point 

 was at G a. in., when a brilliant canopy of dancing rays, circling whorls, and waving banners 

 covered the sky overhead and extended down on all sides 30 or 40 degrees. The culminating 

 point was in Ursa .Major, and the whirling, gyratory motion was not in the plane of an arch, but 

 in that of a circle having its center almost in the zenith. There was but little variety of color 

 pink, ro.se, and green appearing occasionally at the base of the rays and columns. The brightness 

 was at the maximum, the ice surface along the horizon out to sea being pretty clearly visible. The 

 magnets were greatly disturbed. 



March 17, 1SS2, 4 a. m. to 1 a. m. This was not an extensive display, nor was it of long dura- 

 tion. The arches were not numerous nor very bright, and were very irregular in shape, more like 

 great whorls or scrolls than arches. The only noticeable feature about them was that they never 

 passed the zenith to the southward, but generally faded on reaching it. They commenced prob- 

 ably in the north and extended towards the SE., but> displayed little motion and but few rays 

 appeared. After 7 a. m., or 2 a. m., local time, it was no more visible. The magnets were very 

 slightly disturbed. 



March. 20, 1882, 3 a. m. to S a. m. Began probably some time earlier than 3 a. m., as imme- 

 diately on the clouds rolling off, a bright sinuous but broken arch was visible extending from 

 NNW. to SE., and passing close to the zenith. After this for three hours there was quite a rapid 

 succession of bands, arches, and whorls, accompanied by much internal or vibratory motion. The 

 general motion of the arches was from N. to S., but on several occasions they seemed to part in 

 the middle wlien near the zenith, and the broken ends became folded up like a rope that had 

 broken at a high tension ; generally, however, on reaching the zenith the arch broadened or 

 divided up into several,, or spread out into an immense field or canopy, dim at first in the center, 

 and brighter round the margin. When this form was reached, numerous rays shot up from this 

 bright margin towards the zenith, where a more or less bright but irregular shaped corona was 

 formed which swirled and swayed and assumed a great variety of form, but was always of brief dura- 

 tion'. At 4 a. m. (11 p. in. local time), the display had reached its maximum, where there was an 

 immense canopy covering a great part of the sky, numerous streamers, several imperfect corona^ 

 and great vibratory activity. There were numerous flashes of color at the base of the streamers; 

 red and yellow were the predominant colors. This period did not last more than fifteen minutes, 

 and was succceeded by the usual hazy condition of the sky, with a whorl and patch here and 

 there. At G a. m. there was another period of activity, similar to the above, but on a smaller 

 sc;:lc. The activity was probably equal, but the brilliance and extent of their display was much 

 less. ' There was one bright arch extending from, about N. to SE., through the zenith, with much 

 paler light on each side of it. Its center when overhead broadened, and being like a curtain 

 swaying to and fro, and looked remarkably near. After slightly passing the zenith it remained 

 stationary for some minutes, and its upper side became very jagged or serrated, and seemed as if 

 a strong wind were blowing against it, while projecting points protected it in front. This condi- 

 tion remained nearly ten minutes, and was indeed very peculiar. The jagged appearance was too 

 irregular and too persistent to be caused by a series of rapid undulations, and conveyed very 

 strongly the idea that a strong wind was blowing across the arch. After this there was very little 

 r.ctivit.y and but few arches, and all faded at the approach of the dawn. The magnetic disturb- 

 ance was very great, especially during the appearance of greatest activity. There was great 

 decrease in horizontal force and increase in vertical intensity, and a large increase in declination 

 to the eastward. 



Mnrvh 21, 1SS2, 2 it. m. to (lntjUght.Not a brilliant display, but there was great rapidity of 

 change and motion. There were very few perfect arches, the general form being that of whorls 

 and patches, which were scattered nearly all over the sky. It was last visible at 9 a. m. (4 a. m. 

 local time), when there was a period of great activity, the flashing of the light being faintly visible 

 overhead, notwithstanding the brightness of the twilight. There was very great magnetic dis- 

 turbance, the greatest we have had since this year commenced. The needles were very much 

 agitated, but at !' a. in. the agitation became extreme; the bifilar needle went far out of the field 

 and remained for two hours out, the force greatly decreased. The unililar was deflected 2 3Q' 

 II. Ex. 41 IS 



