50 [Proc.B.N.F.C, 



reference was made to the years 1870 (when it was visible on 

 forty- five nights), and 1871 (when it was noted on ninety-six 

 nights). These satisfactorily proved that all unusual demonstra- 

 tions near us are accompanied with excessively disturbed states of 

 the air at a distance, which generally reach us; and that in pro- 

 portion to the quantity of the auroral light, so we may predict un- 

 settled weather in the line of the ocean, which not unfrequently 

 extends to the British Isles. This was. further proved by detailing 

 the phenomena connected with the storms of October, 1839, Oc- 

 tober, 1870, and February, 1871 ; all illustrating the fact that the 

 aurora does not appear until more or less condensation has taken 

 place. He next passed on to the acknowledged connection be- 

 tween the aurora and the magnetism that directs the magnetic 

 needle ; quoting the observations of M. Arago, also those of 

 Messrs. Lotin and Bravais. Having satisfied himself that the 

 usual appearance of the aurora was always connected with, and 

 consequent on condensation of watery vapour, this naturally led 

 to the question, whence the source of this element ? The pheno- 

 mena exhibited' on the nights of October, 1870, and February, 

 187 1, rendered the usual explanations altogether unsatisfactory; 

 and having subsequently, on the 2nd of November last, during a 

 storm from the noith-west, seen the aurora mingled with the 

 clouds, he felt that we must now look outside our atmosphere for 

 its source. He assumes, then, that all space is filled with a rare 

 elastic medium called ether, which forms, as it were, a bond of 

 union between the visible universe; and that this is probably of 

 the nature of hydrogen combined with magnetism, and that this 

 is the true source of all magnetism ; that it is also the medium of 

 luminous undulations between us and the sun and stars, and when 

 exposed to friction becomes luminous, as is seen in the transit of 

 meteoric bodies and comets of all kinds, and also when it comes 

 in contact with our atmosphere. After giving his reasons for 

 forming these opinions, he stated it as probable that the magnetism 

 on entering our atmosphere, and before reaching the earth, leaves 

 the hydrogen, and allies itself to the oxygen of our air ; and that 



