[ 328 ] 
ries, relative to the altitude, motion, velocity, &c- 
and even the very nature itfelf, of that I had fo trans- 
ient a view of, might perhaps be deducible from it. 
Inftances of Aurora Auflrales , at lead: in our part 
of the world, are immenfely rare. At prefent that 
obferved by John Martyn, M. D. F. R. S. and Pro- 
fefTor of Botany in the Univerfity of Cambridge, 
only occurs. The account of this very uncommon 
appearance, tranfmitted by that ingenious gentleman 
to the Royal Society, and published by them in the 
Philojbpbical Pranfattiom *, highly merits the atten- 
tion of the curious meteorologist. This phenome- 
non, feen by him, January 23, 1749-50, and that 
of which I now fend you fo imperfect a defcription 
in feveral refjpects pretty well agreed ; but in others, 
which it would be Superfluous even to touch upon 
here, almoft totally differed. Some of the •J* public 
papers informed us, that an extraordinary pheno- 
menon was obferved in the air at London, the pre- 
ceding night, viz. March 4, 1764 ; which in a few 
particulars refembled that of which I have taken the 
liberty to communicate to you a Short account in this 
letter, but in the reft thofe two meteors were difli- 
milar enough. Perhaps thefe Aurora Aujirales may 
Some time or other hereafter be more frequent than 
hitherto they have been, and by certain new circum- 
stances attending them farther elucidate the theory of 
this Species of meteors ; the true caufe of which, not- 
withstanding the labours and refearches of feveral 
* Philof. Tranfafl. Vol. XL VI. p. 319. 
f The St. James’s Chronicle , Lfc. N° 468. 
2 
learned 
