Prof. E. Loomis on the Aurora of 1859. 323 
tery. That the agent thus excited upon the telegraph wires was 
indeed electricity, is abundantly proved. Electricity produces 
various effects by which it may be distinguished from all other 
agents. 
__1. In passing from one conductor to another, electricity ex- 
hibits a spark of light. During the auroras of Aug. 28th and 
Sept. 2d, brilliant sparks were drawn from the telegraph wires, 
even when no battery was attached. At Springfield, Mass., a 
(This Jour., xxix, 95). At 
jo. from the forehead of a telegraph operator when his 
ore 
circuit was broken. (Ib., xxix, 97.) At Boston, Mass., a flame 
of fire followed the pen of Bain’s chemical telegraph. (Ib., Xxix, 
3.) On the telegraph lines of Norway, sparks and uninter- 
Pittsburgh, Pa., the magnetic helices became so hot that the 
hand could not be keptge them. (Ib., xxix, 97.) At Spring- 
of paper. The paper was set on fire and produced considerable 
smoke, 
pieces of paper were set on fire by the sparks of the discharges 
bodies. The aurora of Sept. 2d developed magnetism so abund- 
antly and ‘so steadily that on several lines it was used 
ing. (Ib. xxix, 94, 96 and 97.) The intensity of this effect was 
