chnical to be interesting except to the
specialist. He recommends that a single cocoon thread carrying a
sewing needle shall be used to observe the declination where by
proximity to the Magnetic Pole the horizontal force is weak. For it
must be borne in mind that the Magnetic Pole is the point where the
vertical force, called "dip," is greatest--represented by 90 deg.--while
the horizontal force, called "declination," is 0 deg.

[Illustration: DIAGRAM OF THE NORTH MAGNETIC POLE REGION.]

The observations for dip, naturally the most important of the survey,
will be made with a Kew Dip Circle employing two needles; the usual
reversals of circle, face, and polarity should be attended to at each
station, to place the instrument in the plane of the magnetic
meridian. The usual method of finding the plane of the meridian will
probably not answer in that part of the world for want of sufficient
accuracy; the direction of the magnetic meridian should, therefore,
be taken as indicated by the delicately suspended needle of the
declination instrument, and, where this method fails, dip observations
should be made in any two planes 90 deg. apart, of which the first plane
is preferably that of the meridian as guessed at.

It is proposed to charter a steam whaler to take the party from St.
John's, Newfoundland, to the northern part of Repulse Bay, which,
being directly connected with Hudson's Bay, is the nearest point to
the pole-containing area that is accessible any year. There a
permanent station is to be erected where regular observations will be
continued all the time and from which each spring a field party
(perhaps two) will start to locate the geographical position of the
pole.

[Illustration: PROFESSOR C. A. SCHOTT.]

It may be well to repeat that the Magnetic Pole is that point where
the needle of the dip circle is absolutely vertical--where it stands
at exactly 90 deg. to the plane of the horizon.

To find this unknown spot the observer follows as nearly as possible
the direction indicated by the delicately poised needle of the
declinometer. The magnetic meridian is not always a straight line, and
may therefore indicate a very circuitous route, but by a system
something like the regular approaches to a besieged fort one may be
certain of arriving there eventually.

For instance, when the needle indicates a dip of 89 deg. the stations
should be nearer together--say not farther apart than twenty miles, if
possible, a