Beam of November 17, 1882. 319 



About 6 p.m., while the aurora was fitfully blazing in the 

 north, north-east, and north-western sky, in the east there rose 

 from the horizon a long beam of detached bright light, which, 

 apparently lengthening as it advanced, crossed rapidly the 

 southern horizon in front of or near the moon, and then sank 

 in the west, shortening in length as it did so. The light 

 emitted from it was described b}' one observer as of a glowing 

 pearly white; and the general effect of this huge shining mass 

 sailing majestically across the sky, even upon those accustomed 

 to kindred phenomena, was at least one of wonder and sur- 

 prise, while in the less experienced in such matters it created 

 a feeling of absolute awe. Indeed to such an extent in some 

 instances did this latter emotion prevail, that two labourers in 

 my neighbourhood, who separately witnessed it, thought "that 

 surely the world was coining to an end." 



In this general description of the "beam" of the 17th of 

 November, I may add I have advisedly preferred to use the 

 term "beam" (the " trabs " of Musschenbroeck, an oblong 

 track parallel to the horizon) as a definition of the object, 

 because in speaking of auroral rays and beams it is generally 

 understood that the former are the spreading fixed shafts 

 (sagittae) which shoot from the arches or horizon towards the 

 zenith, while the latter term is applied to the bright clouds 

 passing at right angles to the former. Good examples of 

 these were observed at Guildford on February 4, 1874, and 

 are figured in 'Aurorse,' plate 6. Having regard to the almost 

 unique nature of the phenomenon, it seemed to me a desirable 

 thing to gather together the published accounts of its appear- 

 ance, and to endeavour to trace something of its history more 

 in detail and more precisely than they singly afford. 



In a few of the public prints (notably in ' Nature ') a num- 

 ber of interesting (and doubtless accurate, so far as the sudden- 

 ness of the apparition would admit of) observations are recorded; 

 but, on the other hand, it is somewhat strange that the scien- 

 tific journals in general contain but little, if any, notice of it ; 

 and as to newspapers, while the i Standard ' and some few 

 others contain scattered accounts, the c Times ' (probably from 

 a want of due appreciation of the importance of the subject) 

 published two letters only out of a "great number" it stated 

 it had received. Regretting this, and using to the best of my 

 ability the materials I have found at my command, I have 

 drawn up a schedule of twenty-six observations at home and 

 abroad, showing at one glance the prominent features in 

 each observation and giving the authorities, that those so dis- 

 posed may consult them for further or more exact details. 

 They are as follows : — 



2A2 



