AURORA BOREALIS. 
285 
situation, add that it is not less so in the 
periods of its appearing. They say it is rare to 
see it illuminating the horizon without at the 
same time being sensible of an evident unsteadi¬ 
ness in it; and that it often exhibits the various 
hues of red, yellow, green, and purple, now 
flickering with an undulatory motion, and now 
shooting out into lengthened straight lines, (en 
forme de fusees.) 
I forbear to speak of the mineralogy # of the 
island, because my ignorance of that important 
branch of natural history would prevent my being 
able to offer any remarks farther than I could 
* I am happy in having it in my power to say, that upon 
this subject we may expect much valuable information from 
the pen of Sir George Mackenzie, who has, during the sum¬ 
mer of the present year, 1810, with the assistance of two 
gentlemen from Edinburgh, explored more of the island than 
any preceding traveller, and made a most extensive collection 
in this branch of natural history. To the success of their 
undertaking a variety of fortunate circumstances has contri¬ 
buted, and none, perhaps, more so, than an almost uninter¬ 
rupted season of fine weather. These gentlemen, however, 
have by no means confined their pursuits to natural history; 
the manners and customs of the inhabitants, as well as the 
religion, the laws, and the history of the country no less en¬ 
gaged their attention; all which, together with a detail of 
the various incidents that occurred during their interesting 
tour, will shortly be laid before the public in a work which 
is already preparing for the press. 
