C 43 ] 
IV. Extract cf a Letter from F. J. H. Wollnfton f dated Syd- 
ney College, Cambridge, February 24, 1784) to the Rev, 
Francis Wollafton, LL.B. F, R . S. 
Read December 14, 1786. 
— - 1 
I SEND you an account of a remarkable ftream of light 
which appeared laft night, from about 9 h. 5' to 9 h. 25b 
extending entirely acrofs the hemiiphere from W. to E, It 
role from the horizon, about io c S. of W., near $ and y Ceti; 
thence afcended in a ftraight line, inclining a little S. to 
$ and e Tauri, where it made an angle with its former courfe, 
and proceeded nearly in a vertical circle over /3 Aurigae, 
9 Urfe majoris, by Cor Caroli to Ardturus, fetting in the hori- 
zon about 20° N* of E. The light was fteady, not undulating 
like Aurora ; and as it converged towards the horizon at each 
end, had much the appearance which I conceive the tail of 
a comet mu ft make whofe nucleus is juft in the horizon. 
That was particularly the cafe at the W. end, where it was 
brighteft, growing gradually fainter towards the zenith ; the 
E. part was nearly of the fame brightnefs. The greateft 
breadth of the ft ream in the zenith was about equal to the 
diftance between the Pointers in Urfa major. It difappeared 
gradually. When firft I law it, it did not incline fo much 
G 2 towards 
