
Fully 13, 1871 | 
is an interesting fact that the head waters of tributaries of the 
~ Columbia, the Colorado, the Missouri, and the Yellow Stone 
_ rivers rise within a short distance of each other in this mysterious 
_ region; which, in addition, is characterised by the extraordinary 
_ development of hot springs, spouting geysers, mud volcanoes, 
extensive beds of sulphur, gypsum, the silicates, &c. The party, 
as at present organised, embraces thirty-two persons, including 
specialists in all branches of science, and accompanied by several 
artists, who take advantage of Dr. Hayden’s protection to visit 
the interes'ing region referred to. The party carries materials 
for a boat, which is to be launched on the Yellow Stone Lake, 
and used in a thorough hydrographical and topographical survey 
of it. As the expedition will probably remain in that vicinity 
during the summer, we may hope for a complete solution of all 
the remaining questions in regard to its physical features and 
natural history. A competent photographer with the expedition 
expects to make instantaneous views of the spouting geysers, so 
as to enable those who cannot visit the locality to have a correct 
idea of their character. A company of cavalry will escort the 
expedition into the Yellow Stone Lake region, although 
no trouble from the Indians is anticipated. In the course 
of the journey from Ogden to Fort Ellis it is proposed 
to make an accurate map of a belt fifty miles wide, so as 
to furnish a basis for reference in subsequent explorations.— 
In the monthly report of the Department of Agriculture for 
March and April of the pressnt year, we find a valuable paper 
upon the cultivation of the Cinchona in Jamaica, by Dr. C. C. 
Parry, the botanist of the Department, who accompanied the San 
Domingo Investigating Committee, and in returning spent some 
time in Jamaica. As the general result of his inquiries in regard 
to the cultivation of this plant, and the possibility of introducing 
it into any portion of the United States, he states, first, that the 
peculiar conditions of soil and climate suitable for the growth of 
the best varieties of cinchona plants cannot be found within the 
present limits of the United States, where no suitable elevations 
possessing an equable, moist, cool climate, free from frost, can 
be met with ; second, that the island of San Domingo, located 
within the tropics, and traversed by extensive mountain ranges 
attaining elevations of over 6000 feet above the sea, presents a 
larger scope of country especially adapted to the growth of 
cinchonas than any other insular region in the western hemi- 
sphere ; third, that the existence of successful cinchona planta- 
tions in Jamaica within two days’ sail from San Domingo, would 
afford the material for stocking new plantations in the latter 
island at the least possible expense of time and labour.--In a 
recent communication to the Academy of Na'ural Sciences of 
Philadelphia, by Prof. Leidy, attention was invited to certain 
teeth of fossil mammals, forwarded to him for examination by 
Prof. Whitney. One of these was a fragment belonging to the 
Mastodon americanus, obtained from a depth of eighty feet 
beneath the basaltic lava of Table Mountain, Tuolumne County, 
California, where it was found associated with the remains of 
human art. There was also a molar of a large fossil horse, found 
sixteen feet below the surface on Gordon Gulch. Two other 
teeth, somewhat similar in character, were determined as belong- 
ing to the species of Pvotohippus. In other specimens Dr. 
Leidy found evidences of the existence of a gigantic animal of 
the camel tribe, allied to the llama. 

CORRESPONDENCE OF NORTHERN AND 
SOUTHERN AURORZ 
J TAKE the liberty of sending you a paper containing 
corresponding observations of Aurora Borealis and 
Australis, with the request to insert them in your valuable 
journal. 
Corresponding Observations of Aurora Polaris, made in 
the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. 
In the years 1859-65 I kept up a correspondence 
with the active director of the Flagstaff Observatory at 
Melbourne, (Australia), Mr. George Neumayer, in order 
to make observations concerning the contemporaneous 
appearance of aurora polaris in the northern and southern 
hemispheres.* 
* See Results of the magnetical, nautical, and meteorological observations 
made at the Flagstaff Observatory, Me'bourne, «nd at various statioas in the 
colony of Victoria, Meib urne, 1860 _H is, ‘“* Wochenschrift fiir Astronomie 
und Meteorologie,” 1859, 1860, 1861, 1863, 1865. 

NATURE 

214 

Some years since, when Dr. Neumayer returned to his 
native country, this correspondence was interrupted. But 
the numerous appearances of aurora borealis which oc- 
curred last year, induced me to recommence this corre- 
spondence with the present director of the same estab- 
lishment, Mr. C. Moerlin. Sending him a list of all the 
appearances of aurora borealis and magnetical disturb- 
| ances in the year 1870 known to me, I begged him to 
favour me with the corresponding observations viewed by 
him. I subjoin the answer of Mr. Moerlin. 
I received your letter of December 2, 1870, and in reply 
shall be most happy to comply with your request, of informing 
| you periodically of the occurrence of the aurora australis, and 
of magnetic disturbances observed here. 
To this end I have made out a list, which is enclosed, of 
aurore observed since January 1, 1870, containing the dates and 
times (Melbourne mean time) of their occurrence, from which it 
appears that at most of the dates you mention in your letter, as 
having observed the aurora borealis, the aurora australis has 
been observed here. The greatest magnetic disturbances occurred 
on April 5 and October 25; on the latter day the disturbances 
continued during two days ; the minimum of easterly declination 
occurred about 5 A.M. on the 26th, and the maximum about 
6 A.M. on the same day, the range being 51’ of arc, with corre- 
sponding disiurbances in the other two elements. Unfortunately 
the sky was completely overcast during the night, with a slight 
break only at midnight, when the display was very beautiful, but 
visible only for a few minutes ; but during the evening of the 
25th an intense, but ever varying, luminosity only of the whole 
southern sky was the sole indicauon of aurora. 
I would remark that at all the dates on which aurorz were 
observed, magnetic disturbances invariably took place of a greater 
or less extent ; but disturbances occurred also at other times, of 
the very same nature as took place generally during aurora dis- 
plays, on which, however, no aurorz were observed. These 
dates I give you enclosed also, separately, as these may be of 
interest to you in connection with the possible occurrences of the 
aurora borealis on one or the other of those dates. 
I shall continue from this date to send you periodical notice of 
the occurrence of the aurora australis and magnetic disturbances 
at Melbourne, and shall be happy to furnish any information 
respecting physical phenomena, which you may desire, and I 
may be able to give. C. MOERLIN 
Melbourne Observatory, Feb. 7 
Date and time of occurrence of the Aurora Australis 
observed at Melbourne during the period from 
January 1, 1870, to February 21, 1871, during which, 
at the same time, great disturbances in the magnetic 
elements generally took place. 
LEAT 72749053550: LONG. 9" 39™ 54°8' E. 
1870, January 8.—During the evening the aurora was 
seen at Adelaide, South Australia, as reported by Mr. 
Food, Superintendent of Electric Telegraph. 
February 1.—A fine display between 8 and Io P.M.; 
shortly after nine some magnificent streamers. 
April 5 —Became visible shortly after 7" P.M., and lasted 
all through the evening and night. The display at times 
was most brilliant, particularly at ro 30™ P.M.,and again 
at 12 30", Slight disturbances in the magnetic elements 
occurred during the afternoon, which increased shortly 
before 7" P.M. At to" 45™ P.M. a rapid decrease of easterly 
declination and increase of horizontal force took place, 
which lasted until a few minutes before 11" P.M., when 
both elements as rapidly returned to their former state. 
Comparatively slight disturbances until 12 30", when a 
similar movement to the above mentioned took place, but 
to a smaller extent. The minimum of easterly declination 
took place a few minutes before 11" P.M., and the maxi- 
mum at 1o minutes before 6° a.M, on the 6th, and the range 
of the disturbance amounted to about 54’ of arc, while 
the range in the horizontal force was 0'06273 of the abso- 
lute (English) unit, =0'02892 Continental unit. 
May 20.—Faint display, most distinct at 10" 30" P.M. 
August 22.—At 6" 40™ P.M. some fine streamers visible, 
but not for long. 
September 21.-—Visible from about 6" to 8" P,M., but not 
