102 Notice of the late Aurora Borealis. 



From that part of the bow contained between the N. E. 

 and E. numerous waves of light proceeded in rapid succes- 

 sion to the zenith, where they soon disappeared, and were 

 instantly succeeded by others, perfected similar. Their 

 waves of light arose, successively, from various parts of the 

 afore mentioned portion of the bow, and their apparent 

 length, parallel to the horizon, varied from one to two 

 yards. In some respects, they much resembled those lumin- 

 ous flashes, which appear, when a charged Leyden jar is 

 placed under the receiver of an Air pump, in a darkened 

 room, and discharged by gradually removing the pressure 

 of the atmosphere. The general appearance of these waves 

 of light, while rapidly passing from this bow, to the zenith, re- 

 minded me of that beautiful display of light in Hare's calori- 

 motor, when the gas is on fire, and the plates a little elevated. 

 These interesting phenomena continued about half an hour. 



On the evening of September 25th, about eight o'clock, 

 there was another exhibition of light, which we must call an 

 Aurora Australis* — A broad, well defined bow, or arch of 

 light extended from S. E. to nearly N. W., its highest 

 point being about 35° above the southern horizon. The 

 light of this bow was dense, and very bright, especially near 

 the south eastern limit. From various points of the convex 

 side of the bow, columns of light arose, and proceeded to- 

 wards the zenith. — During these appearances in the south, 

 the sky in the north, and north east was free from light, ex- 

 cepting that about midway between the horizon and zenith, 

 there were a few feeble columns of light, which appeared to 

 be insulated in the starry surface of the heavens. The 

 light soon became much more diffuse, and extended, and so 

 continued through the whole night. 



From Mr. Benjamin Lincoln, two Letters. 



Boston, Sept. 20, 1827. 



Dear Sir — In compliance with your request, I send you 

 some account of the Aurora, as it appeared on the evening 

 of the 28th of August — I being then on the bay of Fundy, 

 in about lat. 45°, N. long. 66°, W. 



* You will not understand by this expression, Aurora Australia, that I in- 

 tended to refer the light to the south pole, but only to say, that the luminous 

 bow was nearer the southern horizon, than the zenith. 



