254 j H. C. RUSSELL. 
Pendent overhead one could see the cloudless blue in the centre 
of the ring-shaped tassel of coloured light. Later a spiral cord of 
light, shewing three perfect coils formed at the zenith, and like 
the ring of light, travelled to westward, while two patches of 
brilliant light, spiral in form like a waterspout, were flaring in 
the west. 
The barometer had been for forty-eight hours prior to the 
display abnormally low, between 28”-90 and 2880 (Board of Trade 
Barometer) and the wind from W.N.W. strong. A fresh to 
moderate gale had been blowing previously. 
In the midst of the grand display just recorded, a remarkably 
bright meteor, starting from Canis Major in the north-west, 
travelled slowly across the sky to the south-west, discharging at 
intervals fragments of colour, and thus adding to the splendour 
of the scene. A special feature of the display must be mentioned. 
It was that all parts of the display had a motion to the west like 
a changing panorama. After 9°15 p.m. the aurora was less 
brilliant, but burst into greater activity a few minutes afterwards, 
more especially in the northern semicircle. The display lasted 
until 9°45, gradually fading after 9°30 p.m.” 
This short account was prepared by Commander Hepworth 
hurriedly, while he was getting ready for the first voyage in the 
new service with the dorangi. He expressed his intention of 
sending a fuller account of the aurora to the Royal Meteorological 
Society, London, as soon as he could find leisure to write it. 
In the mean time the third officer of the Aorangi, with the 
permission of the commander furnished me with the following 
account based on his own observations while on deck, and those 
of the chief, third, and sixth engineers who were very much 
interested in the aurora. 
Mr. Bayldon, third officer, says, “ Herewith I send you our account 
of the aurora. It is compiled from the notes I made at the time 
whilst actually watching the scene, and from an account written — 
next day, and it has been overhauled by our chief, third, and 
