108 IlEV. J. FARQUH ARSON’S EXPERIMENTS ON THE INFLUENCE 
the formation of which we can thus otherwise clearly trace, we are surely 
justified in considering it as an effect of the condensation of vapour; and as 
the evaporation and condensation of the aqueous fluid are ascertained agents 
in developing electricity, the meteor must be considered as a peculiar manifes- 
tation of the electric fluid *. 
The parallelism of the streamers with the dipping needle ; the position of 
the fringes at right angles to the magnetic meridian ; the movement of these 
fringes away from the N. magnetic pole, and their effect on the needle when 
they come into the plane of the dip, — all prove it to be equally a magnetic 
phenomenon ; so that we here find another relation between the electric and 
magnetic influences. 
I conceive the result of these observations coincides with many discoveries 
of a very recent period, to show that we are on the point of being compelled 
to resolve the long received theory of the magnetic action of the nucleus of the 
earth, into a peculiar influence of its atmosphere and superficial electricity. 
Alford, February 1 Ith, 1830. — Between January 10th and 20th, several series 
of observations of the intensity of the needle were taken at 8 p. m. Therm, 
uniformly near 30°; and 50 vibr. very uniformly in 225".25. [It thus appears 
that the annual increase of the intensity was greatest in the end of Decem- 
ber.] 
January 25th. — No Aurora was seen since 20th December till this evening, 
when for about 3 hours from 7 p- m. there were seen, over many detached 
clouds resting on the Coreen hills in the N., several low arches and parts 
of arches of brilliant streamers, rising in succession below one another, and 
expiring about 20° high. Rest of the sky quite clear. Therm. 30°. Needle not 
affected. Many falling stars in paths parallel to streamers. None of these 
meteors were seen during the absence of the Aurora. 
January 26th. — A steady gale all day a point or two S. of W. Therm. 34° 
and 35°. Gale became hard after dark, and much snow melted before next 
morning. The ground has been covered with snow, of which there have been 
• This is in accordance with Mr. Dalton’s conclusions, that electricity appears to be a consecjuent 
rather than an agent in the formation and decomposition of clouds. (Observations on Meteorology, 
&c. Manchester Memoirs, Second Series, vol. iv.) 
