All the snow that has fallen the past two months was mere flurries, not enough for sleighing. This December is noted for its number of cloudy days; from the 12th to the 27th the sun did not appear at all; during that time the wind was very light and the barometer very high.

WONDERS ON HIGH.

REMARKABLE PHENOMENA IN THE HEAVENS.

Probably the most wonderful and curious astronomical phenomena ever witnessed in this region were seen December 31, 1880, commencing about nine o'clock. The appearance of a circle around the sun, then in the southeastern heavens, less than thirty degrees above the horizon, with a well defined sun dog on each side, attracted attention everywhere, and became the center of attraction and the theme of discussion. Soon, however, a broad white belt became visible, extending both ways from the center of the sun, and circling about the heavens parallel with the horizon, and of the same altitude as the sun. On this belt became visible to the naked eye four distinct sun dogs, and six were readily visible through instruments. Two of these sun dogs were at the intersection of the ring around the sun with the main belt described as circling above the horizon. In the north, between the main belt and the horizon, appeared three other belts of a few degrees in length, equal distance apart, and parallel with the main belt. Overhead appeared a rainbow, or, more properly speaking, a spectrum of a half circle with the convex side towards the sun, the center of which spectrum, if continued the full circle, was exactly at the zenith.

ment.

Thus the picture of heavenly wonder was presented to the admiring gaze of everybody all the forenoon, the altitude of the main belt rising with the altitude of the sun. The strange appearances were the general subject of conversation, and created much wonderAt the Insane Hospital Dr. Kempster and his assistants took thorough and exact astronomical data of every feature of the presentation, securing with proper instruments the exact measurements of every detail, the colors and their arrangement and positions, the condition of the thermometer, barometer and wind during this time, and made a complete and scientific colored chart of the heavens at this time. A photograph of the heavens was also taken. From these measurements and photograph some very curious things appear. Of the six sun dogs one was on the main belt directly opposite the sun (designated by a line drawn through the plane of the zenith), while two were west of this line and three