EXTRiVCTS FROM FlELD REPORTS 



115 



company, who readily assisted the party in any way they could. The Trappist monks of Lac 

 St. Jean at Mistassini were very liberal with their hospitality and helped the observer in every 

 way possible. 



C. C. Cr.\ft, on Magnetic Work in British North America and Arctic Regions, 



July to September, 1908. 



This work was made possible by special arrangement with Commander Peary, who for a 

 stated sum agreed to furnish all required facilities. The writer was assigned to the expedition 

 as magnetic observer, boarding the auxiliary supply-ship, the Erik, at Sydney; the vessel sailed 

 on July 15, and returned to Brigus, Newfoundland, September 30, 1908. The instrumental 

 outfit used was as follows: magnetometer No. i, dip circle No. 35 with dip needles Nos. i and 2, 

 and intensity needles Nos. 3 and 4; thermometers Nos. 2073 and 2788; pocket compass No. 2; 

 tape No. 2; chronometer No. 257; tent No. 4; Eastman kodak No. lA. From the list below, 

 it will be seen that magnetic observations were secured in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, 

 Baffin Land, and along the Greenland coast almost to latitude 80. Not only were new magnetic 

 data obtained, but secular variation results as well, along the entire route traversed by the Erik. 



A great deal of bad weather was encountered ; much fog in the vicinity of Labrador and Baffin 

 Land, and rain and snow along the coast of Greenland. Diurnal variation observations in de- 

 clination for shorter or longer periods were made as follows: At North Star Bay, August 2, 3, 

 and 4, Kangerlooksoah, August 7, 8, and 9, and at Etah, August 12, 13, and 16. 



The stations occupied were as follows: 



1. Sydney, Cape Breton, Canada. 



2. Hawk Harbor, Labrador. 



3. North Star Bay, Greenland. 



4. Kangerlooksoah, Greenland. 



5. Etah, Greenland. 



6. Etah, Auxiliary Station, Greenland. 



7. Cape York, Greenland. 



8. Upernavik, Greenland. 



9. Hare Island, Greenland. 



10. Godhavn, Disco Island, Greenland. 



11. Holstenborg, Greenland. 



12. Baffin Land (I). 



13. Niantiltk, Cumberland Sound. 



14. Baffin Land (II). 



15. VV. Turnavik, Labrador. 



16. W. Turnavik, Labrador, Auxiliary Sta- 



tion. 



17. Seldom-come-by Harbor, Newfound- 



land. 



18. Brigus, Cape Breton, Canada. 



19. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, 



Canada. 



At Nos. I, 10, 15, 17, and 19 previous magnetic observations had been made. 



W. H. Sligh, on Magnetic Work in Cuba and Central America, November, 1908, 



to July, 1909. 



In accordance with instructions, I left Washington on November 20, 1908, bound for Cuba 

 and Central America, with the following instrumental outfit: magnetometer theodolite No. 7, 

 dip circle No. 172, pocket chronometer Kittel No. 256, Hamilton watch No. 71, magnetic ob- 

 serving tent No. 7, and miscellaneous accessories. 



En route 2 stations in Florida were occupied. After observing at 14 stations in Cuba, I 

 left Gibara, Cuba, on January 29, arriving at Belize, British Honduras, Februarj'^ 7, via New 

 Orleans, where the necessary credentials were obtained from the various consuls of the Central 

 American Republics. From Belize an expedition was made to Flores in northern Guatemala, 

 the requisite passports having been furnished by Mr. C. Melhada, Guatemalan consul. From 

 Belize to El Cayo, the journey was mjxde by oil launch up the Belize River, and required 3 days 

 and nights; at night, on account of obstructions in river, the launch could not proceed and was 

 tied up along the bank. 



Observations were made at El Cayo and mules and guide were secured here for crossing the 

 Guatemalan forest to Flores. Traveling through the Guatemalan forest, owing to frequent 

 swamps, was slow and difficult; there is no road, but only a trail through the thick undergrowth. 

 The forests are very dense and the little Indian villages Yaxja and Macanche were the only 

 available points between El Cayo and Flores for making observations. There is a scarcity of 

 water, and no shelter was to be had at night; the region seems to be healthful, being cool and 

 pleasant, especially at night. The Guatemalan officials were very courteous. The observations 

 having been completed, the return was made, via El Cayo and Belize River, to Belize, arriving 

 there March 13, the expedition to Flores having taken about a month's time. 



