118 Land Magnetic Observations, 1905-10 



The magnetic work proceeded without any difficulties whatever, observations being secured 

 at 75 stations; only 6 of these could be reached by railroad or steamship. The weather was 

 favorable throughout the entire journey. Stations were frequently located in the mission 

 compounds. 



The route followed was the Great North road across China, which was divided up 

 into several big stages, each of which required a given number of days to make the journey. 

 These stages were as follows: Honanfu to Sianfu, lo days; Sianfu to Lanchowfu, i8 days; Lan- 

 chowfu to Suchow, i8 days; Suchow to Hami, i8 days; Hami to Urumtsi, i8 days; Urumtsi to 

 Karashar, i8 days; Karashar to Aksu, i8 days; Aksu to Kashgar, i8 days; Kashgar to Khotan, 

 1 8 days. It was found practically impossible to make more than a regular day's stage each day; 

 furthermore, it is customary to spend 3 days at each big stage to allow the animals to rest; where 

 it was necessary to change the mode of travel, from carts to pack animals or vice versa, a delay of 

 10 days was usually necessary. The journey from Kargalik to Leh, India, usually requires about 

 22 days, but the high water in the mountain streams made them unfordable at times and our 

 ponymen sought excuse for delay on every possible occasion; it therefore took us 30 days to 

 make the journey, arriving in Leh, September 28. The 16 marches from Leh to Srinigar were 

 made in 9 days, and 4 days later the railroad at Rawal Pindi was reached on October 13. Dehra 

 Dun was reached by rail October 19 and comparison observations were made there until October 23. 

 Leaving Bombay on October 30, and spending a few days in Europe en route, I returned to 

 Washington on December 4, 1909. 



An elaborate camping outfit was not found necessary in the greater part of China, 

 since there are inns at nearly every place, where one can spend the night quite comfortably; 

 experience showed that it was better to follow the customs of the country in this regard than to 

 camp apart in the open field. Sufficient bedding, wrapped in rubber or canvas protective coverings 

 while traveling, is a necessity and a light weight folding cot adds much to the comfort of such a 

 journey. If a tent be taken, a small low one without walls, and with sides that slope down to 

 the ground, like the tents used by camel drivers or ponymen, will be found most useful. Pro- 

 visions such as canned milk, butter, jam, cocoa, chocolate, soups, must be carried along on ex- 

 tended interior trips. An interpreter and personal servant are essential members of a party. 

 Nothing is gained in the time of tra\cling from one place to another by purchasing one's caravan. 

 It will add greatly to the progress of an expedition if personal attention be given to all the little 

 details of the work. 



The winter months are most favorable for traveling in North China, especially as the climate 

 is dry, the roads are good, and one can then be practically free from vermin. In the spring and 

 summer months the roads become so muddy and boggy as to be almost impassable. The work 

 in Chinese Turkestan could be done at any season of the year, the most favorable seasons being 

 spring or fall; the heat is intense in summer and it becomes very cold in winter. 



Throughout the entire trip, the jjarty was treated with every courtesy. It will not be possible 

 to mention every one by name to whom grateful acknowledgment is due; Chinese officials and 

 custom house officers, the representatives of the British and of the United States governments, 

 directors of the magnetic observatories visited, members of the Chinese Inland Mission, and 

 various missionaries and private individuals, all united to give aid and assistance as needed. 

 Sometimes a special escort, besides food and shelter, was provided by the reigning official. Due 

 to such effective cooperation, the journey was accomplished according to schedule and without 

 mishap. 



Synopses of Additional Magnetic Surveys, 1905-10. 



Besides the surveys and trips briefly described in the foregoing extracts from field 

 reports, the following work was undertaken during the period 1905-10. 



D. C. Sowers. A six months' trip in 1905 through the Windward and Leeward Islands, the 

 work closing at Caracas, Venezuela. Complete magnetic observations were made at 27 stations, 

 at a number of which magnetic results had been secured previously, thus furnishing data for 

 secular change. 



G. Heimbrod. While associated temporarily with the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, 

 1905-06, Mr. Heimbrod secured a valuable series of complete magnetic observations at stations 

 distributed over various islands in the Pacific Ocean. He also made comparisons of his instru- 



