The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-07
The Late AurOral Display-Is It Por-
tent0us !-The Hurricane Season In
the Tropics.

the Tropics.
The magnificent auroral display Of last Sat-
urday night will furnish scientists new OPP
portunity for studying the probable cause and
significance of the phenomenon. As we have
already noticed, this aurora was brilliantly
visible over large portion Of the country
from the lakes as far south as Washington
and was reported by some as the most extraor-
binary one ever remembered in their respec-
tive localities. To- vs.
The most satisfactory explanation Of these
splendors in the northern skies seems to be
that which connects them with the reflection
of electric discharges from the microscopic
ice crystals, which compose the delicate cirrus
clouds in the upper atmosphere These crys-
tails of condensed vapor, 80 minute as to defy
any but the most practised observer, act as
screen for the reflection Of light; and the de-
position of watery vapor from the lofty equa-
torial current produces the lightning discharge.
But whether this be the true origin Of
auroras or not they are said by meteorologists
to be excellent and almost unfailing Fremont
tors of atmospheric disturbances, and often Of
the most disastrous gales and cyclones. It
has been carefully observed at the Imperial
Observatory OF Paris that the perturbations of
the magnetic needle are joined inseparably
with widespread auroras and the consequent
disturbances Of the Geographic wires. 1t is
also clearly established, by scientific observa-
ton, that the display Of the Aurora Borealis
indicates general movement Of the atmos-
phere in high ATTITUDES, and especially such a
movement over the Atlantic Ocean. The cleo
trio discharges In the high north seem to
register and reveal the fact that vast body Of
equatorial and vapor-laden air has invaded the
polar territory and begun to invite counter
movement, and repelling activity Of the colder
atmosphere, resulting, as all experience shows,
in the immediate and usually successful attempt
to expel the intruding mass. This is followed
by the downrush Of polar air over the middle
ATTITUDES, and even into the tropics themselves,
as is beautifully shown by the late weather
reports Of the Signal Office. These re-
ports attest the flow Of vast cur
rent Of cold air from the northern
part of the Continent, descending upon
the entire country east Of the Mississippi
and overrunning the Southern and Gulf
coasts. 1t is by no means improbable that
this vast torrent Of cool, semi-polar air, as it
makes its Eruption into the hot, watery air Of
the West Indies, may produce violent disturb
ance, either by mechanical conflict or by the
sudden condensation Of immense quantities of
aqueous vapor. In the weather preceding the
celebrated "Royal Charter" gale, which swept
over England in 1859, the thermometer for
few days previous was very low for the
season, and over large part Of the globe
auroras and meteors had been peculiarly
abundant and resplendent; and even for a
week or ten days previous the English skies
had been illumined by the blood-red streamers
of Aurora. 1t is so commonly observed by
seamen that such premoniions Of storms are
reliable that they have long interpreted the
coincidence as causal in its nature.
Indies, and we may be now on our guard
against those tropical storms which, generated
in the hot seas, move westwardly on our
Southern and Gulf coasts every year, and
strew them with death, desolation and many
noble wrecks. Already from Harrisburg we
have intelligence of the visit of one of these
atmospheric disturbances. A storm of wind
and hail visited that city on Monday night
last, sweeping over q space Of country a mile
in width, tearing up trees, unroofng build
ings and carrying destruction in its path.
And we may expect to hear Of similar tornadoes
along the western line.
1t seems eminently desirable that the
press should spare no pains to give publicity
to the fullest and latest reports Of the Signal
Service, and all interested in the weather
on the Atlantic should give them special at
tention and scrutiny. Many lives and much
valuable shipping may thus be saved from the
devouring fury Of these Southern storms.