At 8.30 p.m., there was no appearance of Aurora noticed here the sky was then cloudy, covered by Cumulus et Cumulo Stratus clouds to the extent of 8.10th.

At 9 p.m,, which is one of the usual hours for observation at this place, the appearances were thus recorded: "Splendid Aurora Borealis extending nearly over the whole horizon with the exception of a small space in the S. & S. W., sky covered over with patches and streamers of Auroral light,-varying in colour from a pale yellow to deep orange and violet or crimson, giving the appearance of moon-light and nearly as light and bright as when the moon is at its full and giving rise t› nearly the same colour." The horizontal and vertical movements were frequent and very rapid and it seemed as though the Cumulus and Cumulo stratus clouds were lighted up with the Aurora. The exact moment of its appearance here was not observed, but it was between 8:30 and 9 p.m., this appearance lasted, with modifications, till nearly sunrise.

There was also a fine display on the following night (Monday) the 29th, but nothing to be compared in brilliancy to the Aurora of the previous evening. The sky was on this occasion cloudless, a few streamers were occasionally seen tinted with a pale violet colour.

The 26th day was mild and pleasant, mean Temperature 69°4, at 8 p.m., distant lightning was observed in the E., but its presence did not affect the Electometers. Volta's Electrometer No. 1 indicated scarcely 2 degrees, positive.

The 27th day was partly clouded. Mean Temperature 64°7, shewing a decrease in Temperature, and a falling Barometer. The 28th day (Sunday) was for the most part cloudy, the following is an extract from the register,

CLOUDS.

The most remarkable incident, and to which it is more particularly necessary to advert, was the unusual and great amount of Atmospheric Electricity manifested as being present. At 9 p.m. the Electrometers indicated a maximum of 250 degrees in terms of Volta's Electrometer No. 1, of a positive character (but almost constantly varying in intensity) an amount equalled only during the Thunder storms of summer and the heavy Snow storms of winter. The amount during the following day and night indicated a maximum of 10 degrees which is however somewhat above the usual average.

The appearances would lead to the opinion that the Cumulus and Cumulo stratus clouds which generally do not occupy any great altitude might have been the medium of conducting the Atmospheric Etectricity to the earth, for the indications of the Electrometers were such as is present during the passage of clouds charged with electricity, and this phenomenon seems to have extended to the wires of the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph.

The following day and night indicated a small increase on the usual amount of Electricity, this may be owing to the continued presence of the Aurora, or in some measure may be owing to the decrease in temperature, accompanied by high wind and a great amount of Terrestrial Radiation. The Radiator indicated 25.2 degrees, and frost, which was destructive to vegetables, occurred on the morning of the 30th. The sky was cloudless on the 29th, but rain set in at 4:45 p.m. of the 30th, clouds began to form before noon of this day.

Similar indications of the Electrical state of the Atmosphere during the Aurora Borealis were never observed here, although its effect on the Magnetic Telegraph has been before witnessed, and reference is made to the same effects during the Aurora of the 19th Feby. 1852, which was also visible at this place. It is thus recorded: "From 6:30 to 7 p.m., a curtain or veil of Auroral light completely round the horizon terminating in a point in the Zenith near B auriga, of a crimson, green and yellow colour, the sky was cloudless and stars were distinctly visible through it." On the same night there was an immense cruption of Mauna Loa, the great volcano on Hawaii in the Sandwich Islands, a slight shock of an earthquake wae felt here at 5:40 a.m., on the morning of the 11th day (Feby 1852) the wave passing from the W. N. W.

The only display presenting such appearances as that of August CANADIAN NAT. VOL. IV. No. 5.

5

last, was seen here in December 1836, and tha: display was accompanied by a cloudy state of the sky, the Auroral light was then of a deep violet (or blood colour) which gave rise to the popular belief that it predicted the unfortunate outbreak of 1837.

I did not then possess the means of ascertaining the Electrical state of the Atmosphere, and the only Electric Telegraph then in existence I believe on this Continent was in the laboratory of Professor Henry of Princetown N. J., now the respected Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, so that the precise effects at that period could not be observed.

In reference to the Aurora Borealis of the beginning of September (which may have been probably a continuation of the same meteor as the 28th of August,) it was visible here on the night of the 2nd day, the 1st and 3rd being cloudy and rainy. The captain of the Barque James W. Paige, at N. York, reports that " from 8 P.M. to 3 A.M. of the 3rd of September the whole horizon was as light as any sunshiny day, the peculiarity of it was that the sky was completely overcast with very black clouds and at times it rained in torrents," but none of these appearances were seen here on the night of the 3rd Sept.

The Aurora Borealis of the 28th of August was seen generally in Europe, in London England, it was first seen at 10:30 p.m., but in more southern Latitudes it made its appearance soon after sunset; it was followed by Earthquakes in England and in Italy.

Mr. E. J. Lowe of the Beetson Observatory first observed it at 8.40 p.m., and his description in reference to appearances and the cloudy state of the sky, coincides with the appearances observed here; and Mr. Burder of Clifton, England, calls attention to some remarkable appearance of Solar Spots. Reports of its appearance in Havanna and many other places on the American Continent South of us, have been received.

Professor Henry of the Smithsonian Institution is investigating phenomena in reference thereto, and which may be looked forward to with great expectations, possessing, as he does, such ample means of collecting facts, and a perfect knowledge of the present state of Electrical Science.

It is much to be desired that the facts about to be collected should establish the origin or source of this Meteor. There are certain points which bear strongly upon the opinion of its electrical origin. Its connection during these extraordinary displays, with Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions seems to be almost an established fact.

The appearance of spots on the sun's disc is also another interesting feature in this enquiry, in connection with the Magnetism of the Earth.

At an early period of Electrical investigations, Priestley enquired, "if the empty space above the clouds might not always be filled with Electricity and he asks may not Thunders, Earthquakes be owing to the re-establishment of an equilibrium ?"

It remains for modern investigations to answer these important questions.

ST. MARTIN, ISLE JÉSUS,

1st October, 1859.

BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, ABERDEEN, SEPTEMBER 14, 1859.*

A large and pleasant Meeting of the Members of the British Association began on Wednesday, at Aberdeen, under the immediate auspices of the Prince Consort, whose speech occupied the evening, and whose presence was rendered still more gracious by an invitation of the Members to an excursion and lunch at Balmoral during the week. The old Scottish loyalty broke out in the counties adjoining Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire. Two thousand tickets were speedily sold, and by Tuesday morning every available nook in the Music Hall being filled, the sale of Associate tickets had to be stopped. Here was a flush of prosperity! The local arrangements were admirable-reviving dreams of that old Scottish hospitality so amusingly celebrated by Ben Johnson and Taylor, the Water Poet. The Clubs and NewsRooms were generally thrown open to the scientific visitors. Nonresident Members of the Association got admission to the Northern Club, and the Union Club, Market Street, without the forms of introduction. The Committees of the Athenæum News Rooms and of the News Rooms, Corn Exchange, opened their rooms to all Members of the Association on producing their tickets. A crowd of Exhibitions also were open to Members on producing their tickets:such as the Exhibition of Historical Portraits and Objects of Antiquity, in the Music Hall Building, the Photographic Exhibition, in the Music Hall Buildings,-Collections illustrating the Geology of the North of Scotland, in the Museum

Cited from the Athenæum.

of Marischal College, and the Horticultural Exhibition, King's College. Marischal College, Free Church College, Advocates' Hall, Medico-Chirurgical Society's Library and Hall, and the various prisons, reformatories, and asylums were likewise opened,―as were also most of the great manufactories. The company from a distance was large and brilliant; the papers promised were of scientific importance. Nothing was wanting to make the Meeting at Aberdeen pleasant and memorable.

Before the opening of the doors of the Music Hall the number of tickets issued to the public amounted to more than 2,500.

GENERAL COMMITTEE.

The General Committee held their first meeting in the Library of Marischal College. Professor Owen stated that the number of Associates already admitted amounted to 2,000; and the total number of Members and Associates altogether was nearly as much as the Music Hall could accommodate. He therefore proposed that the Committee should limit the admission of Associates. There was no limit to the admission of Members. The proposal was adopted, as we have already said.

The minutes of the last two Meetings were read and approved of detailing the proceedings of the Committee as to the choice of Aberdeen for the present Meeting.

Professor Phillips read the Report of the Council, which chiefly pertained to proposals for more extended meteorological and magnetical observations and to the work of the Kew Observatory for the past year.

GENERAL MEETING.

The General Meeting was held, in the evening, at the Music Hall.-Prof. Owen on rising to hand over his Presidency to H. R. H. the Prince Consort, said:-Gentlemen of the British Association, In rising to perform the brief concluding duty of my office, I may congratulate you on the present sound condition of the Association, and am happy to say that I leave its affairs in a more prosperous state than I found them. Yet this prosperity has for some years been progressive, more especially as regards the direct scientific aims of the Association. It was exemplified last year, by the presence of almost every surviving Founder, with large additions of working scientific Members, at our Meeting at Leeds; it is clearly manifested by the present distinguished assemblage, including many of our most eminent Continental and