THE NARRATIVE OF CHARLES WILKES. 397 
coast; the wind had veered from the east to south-west, and given us 
a clear, bracing, and wholesome atmosphere. The barrier exhibited the 
same appearance as yesterday. Our longitude was 125° 19’ E., latitude 
65° 08’ S., variation 32° 45’ westerly. The current was tried, but none 
found; the pot was only visible at five fathoms; the colour of the 
water a dirty green; the dip sector gave 3'15". I never saw a clearer 
horizon, or one better defined than we had to the northward. The 
icy barrier was really beautiful. At midnight we had a splendid 
display of the Aurora Australis, extending all around the northern 
h izon, from west-by-north to east-north-east. 
AURORA AUSTRALIS. 
Before its appearance, a few clouds only were seen in the south-east, 
on which the setting sun cast a red tint that barely rendered them 
visible. The horizon, with this exception, appeared clear and well 
defined. The spurs or brushes of light frequently reached the zenith, 
converging to a point near it. 
Although no clouds could be seen in the direction of the aurora, 
before or after its appearance, yet, when it was first seen, there appeared 
clouds, of the form of massive cumuli, tinged with pale yellow, and 
behind them arose brilliant red, purple, orange, and yellow tints, 
streaming upwards in innumerable radiations, with all the shades that 
a combination of these colours could effect. In its most brilliant state 
