24 
Proceedings of the Royal Society 
cracked and wrenched from its holdfast along the ceiling, and at 
one part it was bulged out as if it had been forcibly struck by some 
soft heavy bulky article. There was no appearance of scorching, as 
is generally the case when any object of an inflammable nature is 
struck by lightning. The vent, which is swept at regular intervals, 
was swept shortly before, and was therefore comparatively clean. 
There is no iron bracketing at the top of the chimney. With the 
exception of the partition, no other article in the kitchen was 
injured, or apparently touched. The gas pipe runs across the roof 
or ceiling from the opposite wall towards the fire-place, and the 
pendant is about the centre of the apartment, rather nearer the fire- 
place than otherwise, but neither received any injury, although the 
gas was extinguished. The evening was wet and boisterous, the 
wind having been from the west or north-west, but a little before 
the occurrence the rain had passed off, and later on it became quite 
clear, although there was evidently a good deal of moisture in the 
air. 
7. Eemarkable Sunrises on December 6th, 8th, and 11th, 
1884. Described by A. E. MTntosh, Esq.; Lady 
Mary Baillie of Polkemmet ; and Patrick Dudgeon, 
Esq. ; in letters to Alexander Buchan, Esq. 
The Gardens, Lews Castle, 
Stornoway, 11th December 1884. 
Mr Buchan — Dear Sir, — On Saturday last, the 6th, at half-past 
8 a.m., was observed here a very curious phenomena in the sky, 
due south and about 45° from the earth ; it looked like oil or tar 
poured on water, and had all the colours of the rainbow, pink and 
blush being in the majority. It was observed here for about twenty- 
five minutes half an hour before daylight. I heard two peals of 
thunder, but saw no lightning, though we had lightning on Friday 
night. Saturday morning was fair, and I thought we were to have 
a fine day, but at noon it commenced raining, and continued until 
late at night. This morning (Thursday) I observed exactly the 
same phenomena and at the same time, and continued the same 
length of time. The morning was beautiful, but commenced at 
noon to rain, and is raining still (8 p.m.), but not heavy. Was this 
