118 
REV. JAMES FARQUHARSON ON THE AURORA BOREALIS. 
it is seen in winter, it is either immediately before, or during the continuance 
of, a westerly fresh wind. 
I would state, in conclusion, that I have here seen it much more frequently 
in the form of a light near the northern horizon, than in any other form : and, 
with the views I have now detailed, entertain, therefore, a suspicion that there 
is some line, near the shore of the Moray Firth, about thirty miles north, or 
between this place and that, where it oftener forms a zenith arch than here. 
This might be worthy of inquiry ; and should it be found to be so, it might be 
further worthy of inquiry, — whether the circumstance, considering the attend- 
ance of the meteor on westerly gales, may not be dependent on the facility 
with which these gales can traverse into the Moray Firth, through the deep 
valley of the Caledonian canal. By such inquiries we might ascertain other 
relations which it may bear to the various thermometrical and hygrometrical 
states of the atmosphere. 
James Farquharson. 
Alford, Aberdeenshire, 
Dec. 23 rd, 1828. 
Postscript. 
Since the foregoing pages were written, I had, last evening (December 28th) 
an opportunity, in company with another person, for observing an aurora bo- 
realis, which, from several circumstances attending it, may be worthy of de- 
scription. It was first observed about half past 6 o’clock, in the form of a very 
complete arch of pale silvery light, nearly uniform in appearance from end to 
end, the vertex of which was 25° or 30° above the N. horizon at the magnetic 
meridian ; its own breadth 10° or 12° ; the light nearly steady, and gradually 
shaded off at both edges. At the same time a much brighter confined light 
appeared, close to the horizon, at the N. point of the magnetic meridian. The 
arch of pale light moved southward very slowly ; and after rising 6° or 8° 
higher, became resolved into pale flitting streamers, which separated into 
groups, and soon faded, with the exception of those at the E. end, which con- 
tinued a considerable time, and approached near the prime vertical to the 
magnetic meridian before becoming extinct. In the mean time, the light at 
