Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-09-22
ATMOSPHERIC PHENOmEN 4.
DIR. Diapers Explanation OF the
Recent Remarkable Displays
The Light Rainfall.
New York WOrld.l

@NNW avn HNAAAel
DR.. Daniel Draper, the meteorolo-
gist at the Observatory in Central
Park, was yesterday asked by s re-
porter Of the World his opinion as to
the causes Of the recent remarkable
atmospheric phenomena. DR.. Draper
said that the peculiar mists or haze of
a yellow or pinkish hue which pre-.
vailed in many localities we're I'm
doubtedly due to the vast forest fires
which have ragged through Michigan,
Canada, New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vania, aud the consequent presence in
the air Of q large quantity Of carbon.
This was clearly shown by the appear
ance of the water in cisterns the
affected districts, which was found to
be almost coffee colored from the ex-
cessive deposit of wood smoke. Many
people in the Adirondack are suffer
ing severely from affections Of the
throat and eyes caused by pyroligneous
acid, which is set free by the distilla-
ton of the timber under the intense
heat Of the forest fires. The other
phenomena of bands Of light in the
sky, reported from Hanover, N. H.,
and Utica, N. Y, as occurring Sep.
tember 18th, were undoubtedly only q
portion Of the autoral display which
was visible at the same time.
"One remarkable feature in these
displays is the immense extent of
country over which they were visible.
The aurOral arch which was observed
in Hanover and Utica, is part of a
luminous ring nearly parallel to the
earth's surface, having the magnetic
meridians at right angles. This posi-
ton results from the earth's magnet.
ism, whereas the auroral beams must
be in the magnetic curves which pass
through their bases, and since ada
cent steamers are sensibly parallel,
the beams appear to converge toward
the magnetic zenith. AuKoral arches
are not, however, always exactly per-
pendicular to the magnetic meridian,
which in many cases is due TO local
causes, such as the conformation Of
the land. Positive electricity is con-
stantly circulating from the equator
toward either pole, through the higher
regions of the atmosphere, and thence
through the earth back again to the
equator, 70 restore the equilibrium
which is constantly being disturbed
by evaporation from the waters Of the
equatorial seas. This current from
the polar regions must modify the
regular current which is supposed to
be constantly circulating from east
to west, resulting in q cur
rent from northeast to south
west, which is in entire conformity
with observations. These auroral dis
plays exert a powerful influence on
telegraph wires. During the preva-
lence of brilliant urora the telegraph
lines generally become unmanlgeable.
The aurora develops electric currents
upon the wires, causing . motion Of
the telegraphic instruments similar to
that which is employed in telegraph
ing, but so frequent aRd irregular
as generally to render it impossible to
transmit Ineligible signals. During
several remarkable auroras, however,
the currents of electricity on telegraph
wires have been so steady aud power
full that they have been used for tele.
graphic purposes a. = substitute for
a Voltaic battery-that is Geographic
messages have been transmitted from
the auroral influence alone. This
proves that the aurora develops on
the wires an electric current similar
to that Of Voltaic battery and differ.
ing only in its variable intensity"
DR.. Draper does not think that the
comets which have appeared this year
have had any effect whatever in pro-
duciug the phenomena in question.
He said that this year would long be
remembered on account Of the very
light rainfall.