112 RECORD AND RESULTS. 



tations of the distribution of the declination, horizontal force, and inclination more 

 strictly refer. The necessary use of systems of straight lines forbids their extension 

 beyond the area marked out by the position of the observing stations. 



Remarhs on Observations of the Aurora Borealis. 



It is a remarkable fact that during the winter 1860-1861 but three auroras were 

 seen and recorded, and these were feeble and short displays. Possibly some more 

 may have occurred, but they were too faint to be recognized. 



The following notices are extracted from the records : — 



"January 6, 1861. 11 A.M. Ked aurora seen in the north, extending from 

 horizon to zenith; lasted about 15 minutes. 7'' 5™ P.M. Aurora seen extending 

 from N. to S. about 30° ; lasted nearly half an hour. 9 P. M. Aurora seen the 

 same as 7'' 45", about 10 degrees nearer the horizon. 



" January 1 1 . Heavy mist hanging over the ice all day. 3 P. M. Aurora 

 observed in the Avest; extended to the zenith; lasted about 10 minutes. 



"February 16. An aurora visible at 9 P.M. in the west; lasted about 10 min- 

 utes; 25° to 30° high." 



The direction in which the last two auroras were seen coincides in general with 

 the direction of the north end of the magnetic needle, and with the position of an 

 area of open water, present throughout the winter, and extending within a few 

 miles to Port Foulke. This last remark may be of interest to those who are inclined 

 to consider a large area of rising vapor as a favorable circumstance for the appear- 

 ance of the aurora.'^ The noted paucity of auroral displays is unfavorable to the 

 hypothesis of the coincidence of a maximum frequency with that of the solar spots, 

 the greatest range of diurnal motion in the horizontal magnetic needle and the 

 greatest number of magnetic disturbances, for all of which latter phenomena the 

 years 1860-1861 include or approach the maximum value. 



* Meteorological Observations in the Arctic Seas, by Sir Francis Leopold M'Clintock, R. N., 

 1851-58-59. Smithsonian Contrilnitions to Knowledge, May, 1862. Tabulation of auroras, with 

 observations and notes by Dr. D. Walker. 



