ELISHA KENT KANE. 87 



tion, the transit and theodolite were placed. A 

 magnetic observatory was built near at hand. It 

 was also constructed of stone, was ten feet square, 

 was furnished with a wooden floor and roof; and 

 here were collected the magnetometer and dip-in- 

 struments. The meteorological observatory was 

 situated a hundred and forty yards from the brig, 

 on the open ice-field. It was a wooden structure, 

 latticed and pierced with auger-holes on all sides. 

 The thermometers were here suspended. By the 

 20th of September all the preparations for winter 

 had been completed ; and without any loss of time 

 Dr. Kane sent forth his first depot-party, for the 

 purpose of depositing provisions at a suitable place 

 northward, to be used in his subsequent expeditions 

 of research and exploration. This company con- 

 sisted of seven men, led by McGary and Bonsall. 



