THE aurora is not, as supposed by many, an accumulation of
electricity, or magnetic force, around the poles; it is nothing
more nor less than the reflection upon the clouds, ice, and snow
of a burning volcano, prairie-or forest-fire in the interior of
the earth. This fancy coloring, seen in many cases, may be
caused in different ways. First, the burning material--of kinds
too numerous to mention--might produce any and all colors. Then
the light shining through smoke, dust, or colored material in
the air --the same that produces colored snow--would reflect
different colors. As the flames shoot up, and are sucked,
whirled, or blown in all directions, they may produce the
fanciful movement in the sky, and be re-reflected by the
peculiar atmospheric conditions in the polar regions. The
slightest motion of a magic lantern will send the light
quivering and shimmering in many directions, or a searchlight,
moved a few inches, will throw the reflection of the light many
miles. All the changes in a great fire, then, ro