The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-06-25

article Aurora Boreais in Appleton's Cy-
clopedla, you. will there see that NJ. Arago
Is credited with the opinion that each OBJ
server sees hissown aurora, somewhat rs
each observer of a. rainbow sees the lumi-
nous are differently placed.t This is mot
wholly inconsistent with my theory; but
Sir John Herschel. as quoted by the same
Cyclopedia, quite supports my view when
he says: No one can doubt that the hight
OF the aurora originates nowhere but in
the place where it is seen" The same all
thority Says that the, Arctic navigatcrs-
Parry, Sherer, and Ross-irequently saw
the auroral lights in o region. below that Of
fhe visible clouds. The Encyclopedia Brit
tanica, In its article on the same. subject,
gives DIR. Richardson, Captain franklin,
Lieutenant Hood. and others, as authorities
whose observations render it highly probo-
Ole that many Polar lights occur at heights
not higher. than the region OF clouds; and
says that DR.. Richardson's observations seem
to show that the aurora Is occasionally
seated in region Of the atmosphere below
kind Of cloud which is known to possess
no great altitude-pamely, that modification
Of Ci1To-StrGtuS which, descending low in
the atmosphere, produces q hazy sheet OF
cloud overhead, ora fog bank on the hori-
zon. DR.. Richardson inclined to believe
In the cloud as an accompaniment OF the
aurora. The Encyclopedia also says that
scientific observation has determined that
the aurora is not affected by the rotation OF
the earth--a fact which at once gives the
quietus to all hypothesis founded on inter-
planetary or any cXtra-terrestrial causes. I
regret that l have 10 give these citations
second hand, but have had neither time
nor opportunity for any original research.
Luckily have at hand the report OF the
Secretary OF War for, 1S74-'75, which covers
the detailed reports OF the United States
Signa-Seryice Bureau for the same period.
The observer at Pixies Peak for June 6,
1874, records: d" Faint atlroral streameTs,
extending some forty degrees above the
northeast horizon, were observed at $3.50 P.
NJ, while directly beneath them the uSud!
sheet-iiyhtning flashed incessantly." But
will not 90 into all the details of the OBJ
servers at different points, for my purpose
is sufficiently served in the report OF the
chief signal officer, in which he gives a
summary Of the results Of the observations
for each month. OF June, 1874, he says !:
"The auroral displays recorded in June
have sometimes evidently stood in an inti-
mate relation to the existing thunder and
lightning storms o.; and for September, 1874,
eral relationship between auroras and thun-
der-storms has been well marked" Ina spe-
cial paper on the auroral display Of April 7,
1874, Nwo years after had published my
theory,) Mr.. Cleveland Able, Of the Signal
Bureau, says: "Like several other auroras
to which 1 have had occasion to call atten-
ton in the monthly reviews, so this was as
sociated with the prevalence Of numerous
thunder-storms south and west Of the re-
gons experiencing the aurora, thus afford
ing an additional confirmation OF the view
that both these forms OF electric manifesta-
tons are due to the same general cause"
No doubt the reports for 18T5-'6 and 1SIc-'7
are full OF similar testimony.
Mr.. Charles Pattison Fish made observa-
tions at the island OF st. Paul, Behring Sea,
from June 5, 1872, 10 May 81, 1873, and he
testifes to the general connection between
storms and the aurora and cirrus and GIRO
stratus clouds. The so.called 'sNorthern
Lights are really seen in all directions,
although most frequently towards the north.
DR.. Isaac T. Hayes was in the Arctic re-
gions in 1S60-'61, and he says that during
the whole winter he saw only three auroras,
each of only ten or fifteen minutes dura-
ration, dt,oays OUer open aCater. DR.. Hayes
adds: "This last remark may be OF interest
to those who are inclined to consider large
area of rising vapor as favorable circum-
stance for the appearance of the aurora"
I think have said enough to set forth
and vindicate my views in this matter. l
have not attempted any scientific descrip-
ton or explanation Of the modus operandi
OF the aurora leave that to some more
eminent philosopher, who, in "words OF
learned length and thunderous sound"
shall authenticate and canonize my discov'
cry and claim it for hi. own. Yet, IL mod
est merit have its reward, when the aurora
shall be shorn OF its boreais its only pro-
per addition will be the name OF one who
here subscribes his initials! W. G. E.