W. S. Gilman, Jr., on the Aurora of April, 1869. 115 
The nucleus or apex of the phenomenon was a cloud, shaped 
like the internal area described 
- a bow with the string drawn 
aside. The southwest was clear, 
as it was generally during the 
evening. From this point the 
wind had been blowing all day. 
To the south the auroral beams 
— |* did not extend nearer the horizon 
than Sirius, and indeed it was 
noticeable that at no time did the 
display exhibit great strength on 
the horizon 
At 7:40 rosy tints appeared at 
Aurora of April 15, ae 7-40 p. w., as different points of the compass. 
eee foi a ce. M, a ras Orion Remarkably deep tints were no- 
, . ticed both to the east and west 
of the — and generally at an altitude of 45° or more. 
e phenomenon brightened after a dull period of 
some ition The rose tints were now very beautiful. In 
the west a very deep carmine was observed, Sulphurous-yel- 
low and greenish hues were also noted. 
At 10 P.M. — aurora was faint, bak still quite striking in 
‘its alrangem. 
At 10°30 it “bHishiseaée again, the corona reappearing with 
redoubled brilliancy. The nu- 
leas of light overhead was much 
pot Pod than earlier in the evening 
and in shape resembled the d denser 
of the Great Nebula of 
suddenly brought near to our 
system, ot as to cover a quarter 
of the sky. 
At 2 A.M. we ceased observa- 
tions. At this hour there were 
0.30 P. a, beams in the north— 
seen from space. M, ; F, proceeding from the dark seg- 
z olaris; 8, Sirius; Z, Zenith. ment along the horizon, from the 
rank this aurora as inferior in brilliancy to the grand au- 
ora | —— a — Desert, Maine, on the 15th of Sep- 
ember last, b more interest than the latter in tl 
ater ochdiinios woes e clouds — the corona, and 
