E. B. Delabarre, Ph. D. 133 



ing trails of dim, twinkling light. Occasionally a bird also 

 would be aroused from his slumbers on the water and fly 

 across in front like a dim shadow. When we were rowing, 

 the water "burned" brightly at the bow and along the sides, 

 and each dip of the oars made a spot as clear as moonlight. 



Another beautiful phenomenon of the night time peculiar 

 to these high latitudes is the aurora borealis. We witnessed 

 a large number of brilliant displays, of some of which, occur- 

 ring during our overland trip, descriptions have already been 

 given. Of two others I have the following notes:' "It 

 started with a few faint streaks in the north and east. Then 

 the streamers shot up further, in changing, quivering waves. 

 Great curved ribbons of silvery light developed overhead, 

 with long streamers reaching thence to the horizon in various 

 directions. Then it gradually faded away." "There was 

 another beautiful auroral display last evening, similar in its 

 marvelous light and rapid activity to that of August 21. The 

 unearthly light danced quickly to and fro, weird and mys- 

 terious. It twisted itself into curves and spirals, shot out 

 into bands and streamers, formed ribbons of vertical pickets. 

 These were constantly forming fresh combinations, and 

 along their varied lines fllew waves of quivering, almost living, 

 undulations." To these, to complete the impression of the 

 evening splendors of Labrador, may be added this, descrip- 

 tive of a row across the harbor at Nain : "It was one of the 

 remarkably perfect nights that surely no more southern 

 country can surpass. The moon, not yet three-quarters old, 

 was just rising, sending a gleam of gold across the still water 

 of the harbor. The stars shone brightly, a pale aurora glim- 

 mered across the sky, and the water burned under the oar 

 strokes. With its setting of quiet hills the picture was ideal." 



