602 APPENDIX. [No. III.
December 4th, 1820.
Hour.
A.M. 9
Noon
Temp.
- Ï 1
—10
Wind. N.N.W
do. '
dij-.
Fresh clear sky.
'db. 'do.
P.M.2h.30m._14 dJo> do. do. A thick cloud of mist hanging
over the rapid.
4 _18 Wind very variable from south by the westward to N.E.
moderately clear.
9 —25 do. Clf?ar.'
The Aurora forming a broad arch’of bright light, its'centre about 45° south
of the zenith, and its extremities'bearing S.E. and N.W., respectively. It
passed gradually to the southward and disappeared.
December 5th, 1820.
Hour. Temp. Wind.
A.M. 9 —20° N.E. Light breezes and clear weather.
Noon — 2 0 do. do.
P.M. 4 — 2 2 ~ do. do. A thick mist rising from the rapid all day.
9 — 2 6 do. do.
The Aurora to-night had it's light disposed in large masses,, having indefinite
shapes, situated in various parts of the sky, but most crowded in the
southern quarter. There were several layers of dark clouds near the horizon.
The Aurora was visible in various spots where no stars were to be seen, but
several of the larger stars were visible through a bright arch, which at one
time crossed the zenith, having a direction from north to south.
December 6th, 1820.
Hour. Temp. Wind. A.M. 9 —15 W. Moderate. Hazy with a light fall of snow.
Noon + 2 W.N.W. do. do.
4 — 6 N.W. Fresh. do. No mist from the rapid.
9 —14 W. Light] Clear.
Aurora, in an arch form, passing from S.E. to N.W. over the zenith, broad
towards its middle, but narrow and spirally twisted near the horizon. Stars
appeared through it without any perceptible diminution of their brilliancy.
No. m ] Dr. RICHARDSON ON THE AURORA. 603
December 7th, 1820.
Hour. Temp. Wind.
A.M. 9 -2 4 w. Moderate and clear, stratus near the horizon.
Noon —14 do. do.
P.M.2h.30m.—20 N.b.S. do. Mist from the rapid, before the sun rose
and after it set.
9 -2 6 W.b.N. do. Clear.
At lOh. p.m. the Aurora formed an arch, broader towards its middle, and
emitting a denser light from its southern edge, but becoming fainter by
imperceptible degrees towards its northern edge, until it disappeared
altogether. Its upper or northern edge lay near the zenith. As its limbs
approached the horizon, they became more slender, and assumed a twisted
appearance. The stars appeared very dimly through the more dense parts of
the Aurora.
December 8 th, 1820.
Hour. Temp. Wind.
A.M. 9 —29 W.S.W. Moderate, clear.
Noon „-^27 N.N.W. do. do.
P. M. 2| — 27 N. do. do.
9 —30 N.N.E. do. do.
Dense mist hanging over the rapid.
Mist scarcely visible.
Mist re-appearing.
No Aurora visible at nine.
Rapid, very noisy.
Midnt. N. Fresh do.
At llh. p. m. sky very clear, and the stars brilliant. A well-formed arch of
light crossed the zenith, extending from N.W. to S.E. It moved slowly to
the southward, broke up into several irregular masses of light, and disappeared.
At midnight, there was no appearance of Aurora.
December 9th, 1820.
Hour. Temp. Wind. A.M.9 —34 N.b.E. Moderate, clear. 1 Temperament of the rapid 32°—
Noon —30 do. do. do. I of the water in the river, ascer-
4 do. do. do. j tained by the same thermometer,
9 _ 3g w. Light, very do. J through a hole in the ice, 31.3°.
The Aurora made its first appearance at 9 o’clock p. m,, near the horizon in
the N.W. b. N., and shot over to the S.W., forming several concentric arches,
the uppermost of which passed a little to the southward of the zenith. As