the same absolute time (about 8h 40m New Haven time) and range from 10° 40' to 12°. Fortunately, a like observation was made at Philadelphia, Pa., (N. lat. 39° 57'), by Mr. Chas. J. Allen, where and at Burlington, N. J. the display was observed by Mr. Allen and by Messrs. Benj. V. Marsh and Samuel J. Gummere. Mr. Allen found this minimum altitude at Philadelphia to be about 221°. Assuming that the curtain was for a moderate distance parallel to the earth's surface, and that the observers saw the same curtain, it follows that the lower visible margin thereof was about forty miles above the earth. The probable error of this result seems to be quite small, yet it is highly desirable that the conclusion should be tested by observations taken at places between New Haven or West Point and Philadelphia and beyond, as far as Annapolis or Washington. The elevation of auroral belts observed in New England has been found to exceed one hundred miles, but the relation between auroral belts and streamers is little understood.

11. Appeal to Observers.

It is conceded that there is much connected with the auroral light which has not yet been fully explained, but it is unquestionably one of the most important of all meteorological phenomena, and its full explanation would probably bring with it the explanation of a large number of other phenomena, such as the origin and laws of atmospheric electricity, as well as of terrestrial magnetism. It is then of the highest importance to science that we should ascertain what the aurora is. The Aurora of Aug. 28th and following days affords a peculiarly favorable opportunity for deciding this question, and it is therefore important that this Aurora be thoroughly investigated. A thorough investigation of a single Aurora promises to do more for the promotion of science than an imperfect investigation of an indefinite number. It has been decided therefore to make a strenuous effort to investigate the laws of this auroral exhibition. For this purpose we need a careful collection of all the observed facts; and it is earnestly requested that every person who made accurate observations of the Aurora of Aug. 28th would communicate them to us for publication. This appeal is addressed to men of science in every part of North America where an Aurora was seen on the night of Aug. 28th. It is also addressed to observers on the ocean, and indeed throughout every portion of the globe, with the sole exception of Europe; for we assume that the appearances in Europe will be fully reported through the European journals. It is not improbable that this auroral exhibition may have been witnessed throughout the principal part of the northern hemisphere; and it is of great importance to know how far it did extend.

In order to render the communications of observers more definite and precise, we will briefly indicate the kind of information we desire.

We desire an accurate but concise description of all the phenomena with the exact time of their occurrence.

1. If a dark segment was seen resting either on the northern or southern horizon, or both of them, its altitude and position should be accurately stated.

2. If the streamers were seen to converge to a single point of the heavens, this point should be accurately located and the time of observation given.

3. If any single phenomenon (such as a detached luminous arch extending from the east to the west horizon) was so conspicuous as to be easily identified, it is important to have an accurate statement of its position and the altitude of its vertex, with the time of its formation and disappearance.

4. Was the Aurora seen in the southern half of the heavens, and how near the southern horizon did it extend?

5. Describe the color of the light, as well as its intensity.

6. If the Aurora exhibited any great variations of brilliancy it is important to know the times of least as well as the times of greatest brilliancy.

7. Did the Aurora exhibit any sudden flashes? Were there any pulsations like waves of light rushing up from the horizon?

8. If any observations were made showing the influence of the Aurora upon the magnetic needle, it is desirable that they should be communicated in detail.

9. The kind and degree of influence exerted upon telegraph wires.

10. Was any motion of translation observed in the Aurora, and if so, in what apparent direction and with what velocity?

It is proposed to publish in future numbers of this Journal, the most important part of whatever information may be ob tained as the result of this appeal; and it is intended to present the facts in such a form that each one will have all the materials which are necessary to conduct the investigation for himself. After all the facts have been communicated, it is proposed to present an analysis of the whole, with some speculations on the general subject of Auroras. Observers may forward their communications either to the "Editors of the Journal of Science, New Haven, Ct.," or to "Prof. Elias Loomis, New York City," who has consented to undertake the discussion of the phenomena.

Postscript.-Any exact data, relating to the remarkable auroral arch of April 29, 1859-mentioned by Mr. Herrick on p. 154 of this volume, will be very acceptable.

ART. XLIII.-Account of several Meteoric Stones which fell in Harrison Co., Indiana, March 28th, 1859; by J. LAWRENCE SMITH, M.D., Prof. Chemistry, University of Louisville, Ky.

HAVING become acquainted with a remarkable phenomenon accompanied with a fall of stones that occurred in Ĥarrison Co., Indiana, I immediately made enquiries concerning it, expecting to visit the neighborhood on an early occasion; but I was fortunate enough to learn of some admirable observations made by Mr. E. S. Crosier, and in fact so complete were his examinations that I clearly saw that no additional information could be elicited by my resorting to the spot. Mr. Crosier obtained for me the various stones that had been found, and also put himself to much trouble to obtain the information desired.

The stones fell on Monday the 28th of March, 1859, and Mr. Crosier visited the place on the Saturday following; in the mean time the following stones were discovered:

The following are the facts elicited by enquiry on the spot. The time at which it occurred (4 o'clock in the afternoon) rendered the phenomenon of ready observation. The area of observation was about four miles square, and wherever persons were about in that area, the stones were heard hissing in the air, and then striking on the ground or among the trees.

Hardly a single person in the immediate vicinity of the occurrence saw any flash or blaze as was noticed by all who heard the report from a distance.

In

Three or four loud reports, like the bursting of bombshells, were the first intimations of anything unusual. A number of smaller reports followed, resembling the bursting of stones in a lime kiln. The stones were seen to fall after the first four loud explosions. Those who happened to be in the woods or near them heard the stones distinctly striking amongst the trees. some places the noise of the falling stones in the woods alarmed the cattle and horses in the vicinity, so that they fled in terror. A peculiar hissing noise during the fall of the stones, was clearly heard for miles around. A very intelligent lady described it as very much like the sound produced by pouring water upon hot stones. The air seemed as if all at once it had become filled with thousands of serpents.

Mr. Crawford and his wife were standing in their yard at the time, and hearing a loud hissing sound overhead, on looking up

SECOND SERIES, VOL XXVIII, No. 84.-NOV., 1859.

a stone (No. 2) was seen to fall just before them, burying itself four inches in the ground, they dug it up immediately, but it did not possess any warmth; it had a sulphurous smell.' Another which they did not find fell near them, when they thought it prudent to retire to the house.

Two sons of John Lamb were in the barn yard attending to the horses, when their attention was called to a loud hissing noise above, and immedialely a stone (No. 3) fell just at their feet, penetrating the hard tramped earth some three or four inches, and they state that it was warm when taken from the ground. Another fell in a peach tree near by, but the ground being newly plowed they were unable to find it.

The largest stone (No. 1) was not obtained until the following day, being dug up beside a horse track on the streets of Beuna Vista, Indiana, it having penetrated the hard gravel to the depth of four or five inches. It had a strong smell of sulphur. The last (No. 4) was dug up by Mrs. Kelly the following day in her yard.

These four aerolites, owing to their being buried deeply in the ground, are all that have been found up to this time. None have been found or were heard to fall over a greater area than four miles square.

These are all the details that I have been able to gather connected with this fall of meteoric stones. They are highly interesting and probably as accurate as it is possible to obtain.

Nos. 1, 2 and 3 and a fragment of No. 4 were placed in my hands for examination. Nos. 1, 2 and 4 are cuboidal in shape, No. 3 was considerably elongated; they are all covered by a very black vitrified surface, equally intense on every one and on every part of each one, and when broken show the usual grey color of stony meteorites interspersed with bright metallic particles.

The mean specific gravity is 3·465; when broken up and examined under a glass four substances are distinguishable: metallic particles, dark glassy mineral, dark dull mineral, white mineral matter.

Examined as a whole the following elements were found in it: iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, phosphorus, sulphur, silicium, calcium, aluminum, magnesium, manganese, sodium, potassium, oxygen.

By the action of the magnet it was separated into

Nickeliferous iron,
Earthy minerals,

4.91

95.19

100.00

The earthy minerals acted on by warm dilute hydrochloric acid, thrown on a filter and thoroughly washed, then treated

with dilute caustic potash, to dissolve any silica of the decomposed portion that was not dissolved by the acid, gave

It is clear from the analyses as made out, that these meteoric stones contain the constituents frequently found in similar bodies, namely: nickeliferous iron, phosphuret of iron and nickel, sulphuret of iron, olivine, pyroxene and albite; and in about the following proportions.

I have no intention to enter into any speculations in relation to these meteoric stones, although I have accumulated some additional matter on the subject since my memoir on meteorites published in the Am. Jour. Science, vol xix, pp. 152 and 322, intending to reserve their publication for a future occasion. Louisville, Ky., Oct. 1, 1859.

ART. XLIV.-Geographical Notices. No. IX.

THE INLAND SEAS OF AFRICA. SOURCES OF THE NILE.— The Royal Geographical Society of London have awarded the Founder's Medal for the current year to Capt. R. F. Burton, of the Bombay army, for the discovery of the great lake of Tanganyika, in Africa, the more northern lake being discovered by his coadjutor, Captain Speke. The journeys of these bold explorers have been previously mentioned in this Journal. On June 26, 1857, the two travellers left Zanzibar for the interior