282 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, this part of the world. It first appeared in an arch extending from 
W. by N. to N. E. mag. (by the north), passing through Eenetnasch, 
Maj. and ( 3 . Aurigm, decidedly dimming their lustre. The 
arch, shortly after it was formed, broke up ; but united again, threw out 
a few coruscations, and then entirely disappeared. Soon after, a new 
display began in the direction of the western foot of the first arch, pre- 
ceded by a bright flame, from which emanated coruscations of a pale 
straw-colour. An almost simultaneous movement occurred at both 
extremities of the arch, until a complete segment was formed of waver- 
ing perpendicular radii. As soon as the arch was complete, the light 
became greatly increased ; and the prismatic colours, which had before 
been faint, now shone forth in a very brilliant manner. The strongest 
colours, which were also the outside ones, were pink and green ; the 
centre colour was yellow, and the intermediate ones on the pink side 
purple and green ; on the green side purple and pink, all of which 
were as imperceptibly blended as in the rainbow. The green was the 
colour nearest the zenith. This magnificent display lasted a few mi- 
nutes ; and the light had nearly vanished, when the JST. E. quarter sent 
forth a vigorous display, and nearly at the same time a correspond- 
ing coruscation emanated from the opposite extremity. The western 
foot of the arch then disengaged itself from the horizon, crooked to 
the northward, and the whole retired to the IST. E. quarter, where a 
bright spot blazed for a moment, and all was darkness. I have been 
thus particular in my description, because the appearance was un- 
usually brilliant, and because very few observations on this phenomenon 
have been made in this part of the world. There was no noise au- 
dible during any part of our observations, nor were the compasses 
perceptibly affected. The night was afterwards squally, with cumuli 
and nimbi, which deposited showers of sleet and snow as they passed 
over us, the wind being rather fresh throughout. 
On the 26th the weather was moderate, and being off Point Hope, 
on which there were several lakes and a great abundance of driftwood, 
the boats were sent to endeavour to procure a supply of fuel and 
water. We had completed only one turn, and buried a bottle for 
Captain Franklin, when the wind freshened from the S. W. and prO' 
