118 
PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SECTION. 
February 25th, 1868. 
E. W. Binney, F.RS., F.G.S., Vice-President of the 
Section, in the Chair. 
“On the Aurora Borealis as a Weather Prognostic,” by 
Thomas Ogilyy, Esq. Communicated by Murray Glad- 
stone, F.RA.S. 
It is upwards of 86 years since my attention was directed 
to the aurora borealis as a weather prognostic. 
I was then residing in Cheshire, having frequently to 
cross the river Mersey, and ride or drive several miles after 
dusk, which gave much opportunity of observing the 
aurora, and of remarking the nature of the weather which 
accompanied and followed its appearance. 
I think it was generally seen when the wind, if any, was 
light; and in Winter, inclined to be northerly, with a ten- 
dency to frost ; and when the corruscations were vivid, and 
particularly if extending towards the zenith, or showing 
much motion, I remarked that the aurora was almost 
invariably followed by a gale of wind, with rain, from 
S.W.-— within from forty-eight hours, to four days. 
The more brilliant and lively the appearance and motion 
of the aurora, the earlier the gale which followed took place, 
and the greater was its severity. Slighter manifestations of 
the northern lights were not followed by any appreciable 
change of weather. 
