THE Inter-Ocean of April 5, 1879, publishes the following question from a correspondent:—“‘In talking over the ‘signs of the times,’ an old gentleman said that about twenty years ago a circle was seen in the heavens, and within this circle there was a well-formed cross. Please state if there was such a thing, and if so the probable cause.’” To which it makes the following reply:— “‘The phenomenon undoubtedly alluded to by our correspondent is one that appeared in the early part of January, 1861, and is thus described by Lieutenant Richard Hammill, of this city, who witnessed it at Mineral Point, Wisconsin: “It was a gloriously illuminated day, and the sky was unusually clear from clouds. The thermometer stood a few degrees below zero all day. Sun appeared at 10 o’clock A. M., with halo and two sun-dogs; at meridian with five halos and twelve sun-dogs, also a bright cross. When at meridian, sun-dogs were too bright for the naked eye.” Lieutenant Hammill sends us a full description of the phenomenon with a number of diagrams, which, unfortunately, lack of space prevents us from publishing.’”