22 BULLETIN OF THE 



heights of auroras, and concluded that we should look with doubt 

 upon all results obtained. 



Mr. Abbe then alluded to a third method which has been used 

 by Prof. Newton : this method is based on the assumption that the 

 Aurora describes an arc running round the earth in a circle parallel 

 to. the region of greatest frequency of the aurora ; this method in- 

 volves too many assumptions to justify its adoption. It seems im- 

 possible to obtain harmonious results from observations at one 

 locality compared with another ; nor can the results be made to 

 harmonize with the three methods. 



Mr. Elliott alluded to a generally accepted belief that auroras 

 exist at variable heights in the atmosphere, and synchronous with 

 its existence disturbance of the magnetic needle occurs and great 

 electric disturbance, shown by the irregular working of telegraphic 

 apparatus. In the high regions of the air the currents encounter 

 much less resistance than at the earth level. 



Mr. Osborne made remarks on observations made by him on 

 auroras at Melbourne, and on the appearances of the magnetic 

 light in the southern hemisphere. 



Mr. Powell considered that auroras could occasionally appear 

 in the lower strata of the atmosphere, and referred to an observa- 

 tion of his own in which the. arch was placed between the observer 

 and a mountain. 



Mr. Farquhar called attention to the frequent accounts given 

 of the occurence of the aurora at low levels in high latitudes (as 

 in Norway ;) and as regards the direction of the flashing of the 

 rays as proceeding from below upwards or vice versa, this might 

 be an error of observation, similar to observations on the direction 

 of currents or direction of electric light or of magnetism. 



The President remarked in closing the discussion that more care- 

 ful and systematic observations were necessary to determine the 

 height and position of the auroral streamers, and to substantiate 

 the conclusion that the same streamers could not be seen by observ- 

 ers a few miles apart. He cited the general fact of auroras being 

 seen in the north and not in the south over wide stretches of lati- 



