250 FE. Loomis—Comparison of Auroral Displays 
readily be seen that the area thus indicated embraces the whole 
of the earth’s surface from which we have any long continued 
series of auroral observations, with the exception of a few sta- 
tions on the north. I have endeavored to determine whether 
since the year 1776, and I commence the comparison at this 
point because this is the date of commencement of the magnetic 
observations, with which the auroral observations are to be com- 
pared. The following list is supposed to contain the date of 
every aurora since 1776, mentioned in either of Prof. Lover- 
ing’s catalogues, from any station within the geographical limits 
above stated. Prof. Lovering’s catalogue closes with the year 
1868, and as a very important maximum has recently occurred, 
I have endeavored to render the list as complete as possible 
down to the close of the year 1872. For the American obser- 
vations during this period I am indebted to the kindness of 
evident that they are not complete. On page 187 there is given 
a tabular statement of the number of auroras seen at St. Peters- 
the dates are given in either of the catalogues. 
and in which I might expect to find a record of recent auroral 
observations, and have found the following sixteen cases nO 
named in Prof. Lovering’s catalogues : 
1859. Feb. 28. Middletown, Conn., Prof. John Johnston. 
1859. April 30. s “a “ & ts 
1859. Oct. 17. Greenwich Met. Obs., 1859, p. 161; Oxford Met. Obs., p. 30. 
