On the Aurora Borealis of July 1, 1887. 143 
Art. XIV.—On the Aurora Borealis of July 1, 1887. 
1. Observations made at Rochester, by Prof. C. Dewey. 
On the evening of July 1st, the Aurora Borealis was very splendid ; 
indeed it far exceeded the splendor of that of the 25th of January 
last, as that appeared in this part of the state. ‘The day had been 
pleasant and warm. About two P. M. the temperature was 86°, 
and a shower was collecting rapidly in the northwest, which in the 
next hour and a half had been blown over us and dissipated with 
very little ram. ‘The temperature changed, and the sun shone forth 
in all his glory. The remainder of the afternoon was delightful. 
The evening was cool, the temperature being about 58°. Soon 
as the twilight had ceased, the aurora was seen in short flocculent, 
cloudlike forms all across the northern sky. Soon it extended quite 
round to the east and west points, at both of which broad and bright 
arches arose and extended more than half way to the zenith, while 
a multitude of streamers rose all round the northern sky towards the 
same point. About half after nine the broad belt of brilliant white 
aurora, rising from both sides of the east point, shot towards the 
zenith, near which it was met by a corresponding but less brilliant 
zone of light from the west. The general appearance continued 
very brilliant till ten minutes after ten, when the point a little south 
and east of the zenith, and towards which all the streams and pillars 
were directed, became a bright rose red, and soon sent off brilliant 
: coruscations in every direction but the south, with distinct flashes 
of white light much resembling that which is commonly called heat 
lightning. 'This soon ceased, and the white aurora again appeared 
as before. Near half after ten, a dark brown aurora rose in the 
N. W. and extended upwards ; soon after appeared on all sides the 
rose red or deep crimson, rising to the vertex near the star ¢ in the 
constellation Hercules, nearly in a right line between Alpheus in 
the Northern Crown and Lyra. The whole expanse except the 
south was most splendid. Soon the flashing from all sides towards 
the vertex mentioned, was renewed with great power. Great and 
constant changes in the color were occurring. ‘The white beams 
and streams intermingled with the red, added to the splendor of the 
scene; at length the brilliant flashing and waving of the aurora ceased. 
The vertex became clear of it, except as it flashed up in long and 
