164 FRANKLIN'S SECOND LAND EXPEDITION. 



miles, or nine hundred and two by the coast-line, from 

 one river to another, afforded a pleasant voyage, during 

 which they added somewhat to the stores of natural 

 history, botany, and geology. 



A second winter passed at the fort. The cold was 

 intense, the thermometer at one time standing at 58 

 below zero ; but such a temperature even as this may 

 be defied, with a weather-tight dwelling, plenty of pro- 

 visions, and congenial companions. A series of mag- 

 netic observations was commenced ; and, as the locality 

 lay on the opposite side of the magnetic pole to that 

 along which Parry had sailed in his voyages, some 

 interesting results were arrived at. " It appears," says 

 Franklin, " that for the same months, at the interval of 

 only one year, Captain Parry and myself were peaking 

 hourly observations on two needles, the north ends of 

 which pointed almost directly towards each other, 

 though our actual distance did not exceed eight hun- 

 dred and fifty-five geographical miles ; and while the 

 needle of Port Bowen was increasing its westerly direc- 

 tion, ours was increasing its easterly, and the contrary 

 the variation being west at Port Bowen, and east at 

 Fort Franklin a beautiful and satisfactory proof of 

 the solar influence on the daily variation. 73 



In addition to magnetism, observations of the aurora 

 borealis were also recorded, and the fact established 

 that no disturbance of the needle (in that locality, at 

 least) takes place during the play of the phenomenon. 

 A course of lectures, too, on practical geology, was de- 

 livered by Richardson an eminently useful subject in 

 a new district. And, as an instance of what a love for 

 science may accomplish, when animated by a perse- 

 vering and self-reliant spirit, we must not omit to men- 

 tion Mr. Drummond, one of the party, who passed the 

 winter alone at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, in a 



