68 Land Magnetic Observations, 1911-13 



After June 22, the work in Sierra Leone and French Guinea was greatly retarded by 

 the rainy season and every station occupied required double or triple expenditure of energy. 

 The station at Freetown, Sierra Leone, was practically a reoccupation of the station of 

 1912 by Observer Johnston. A new station within about 100 yards was also established; 

 the results indicate local disturbance at the old station. 



Regarding the time consumed in establishing the above-named stations, it is necessary to 

 make the explanation that the traveler in the undeveloped or semi-developed regions of Africa 

 is not master of his time, but must with patience await the outcome of many unforeseen 

 incidents. Some of the ports have bar harbors and a landing is impossible in rough weather. 

 Quarantine is encountered. Unsettled conditions may cause complete change of plans at 

 the last instant. Physical features also may cause great delay, especially during the rainy 

 season. 



Magnetic conditions. Conakry is reputed amongst navigators and local people inter- 

 ested in such matters as very much disturbed magnetically. Throughout Gambia, French 

 Guinea, and Sierra Leone, there is much rock of a ferrous nature, red in color. In French 

 Guinea this rock approaches the surface so closely that over large areas the soil is wanting 

 entirely, or, is so shallow as to support but very scant vegetation. 



Throughout the trip every assistance and courtesy was extended by the officials of the 

 countries visited. It is a pleasure also to make mention of numerous courtesies and kind- 

 nesses extended by many people whose acquaintance was made in the course of the work. 



D. W. Berky, on Trans-Saharan Magnetic Expedition from Algiers, Algeria, to 

 Timbuktu, French West Africa, October 1912 to July 1913. 



In pursuance of the Director's instructions of March 13, 1912, 1 left Conakry, in French 

 Guinea, Africa, August 18, and traveling with all expedition via Boulogne, Paris, and Mar- 

 seille, arrived at Algiers on September 2, 1912. Here I rejoined my chief of party, Mr. 

 Sligh, and assisted him in the final organization of the trans-Saharan expedition, of which 

 I was to have charge when Mr. Sligh returned to Washington. 



As mentioned in Mr. Sligh's report, we were fortunate to make the acquaintance at 

 Algiers of Conmiandant O. Meynier, officer of the French Colonial Staff, who, in 1899-1900, 

 after the loss of Captain Voulet, had been associated with Lieutenant Joalland, commanding 

 a French military expedition of conquest which was operating from the West African coast 

 toward Zinder and Lake Tchad. The route of the expedition lay largely in the desert regions 

 of southern Sahara. It is to be noted in this connection that this expedition was only part 

 of a much larger scheme of French occupation and was operating simultaneously with the 

 Foureau-Lamy Expedition, penetrating Africa from Algeria. The latter was the first 

 successful trans-Saharan expedition, and after crossing the Sahara, united with the expedi- 

 tion of Joalland-Meynier and assisted in the conquest of territory in the vicinity of Lake 

 Tchad. Thus thoroughly conversant with conditions in the Sahara in Southern Algeria, 

 and well acquainted by active military service with the regions in South Sahara, Com- 

 mandant Meynier was well qualified to give information about conditions to be met and to 

 advise as to the equipment of a party contemplating crossing the Sahara. It was a source 

 of congratulation, indeed, that this acquaintance was made and that he gave to the organiz- 

 ing and equipping of our own expedition his unreserved and enthusiastic assistance. 



Observer H. E. Sawyer, who had been assigned to the party, arrived in Algiers on 

 September 29. Our preparations were interrupted for a few days in order to make special 

 declination observations at the Bouzareah Observatory on the occasion of the solar eclipse on 

 October 10. On account of the serious nature and expected duration of the projected work, 

 the preparations were of necessity painstaking and tedious. Time was also consumed in 

 obtaining certain required equipment from Paris, as well as by the fact that certain articles 

 of equipment had to be made at Algiers under our supervision. The suggestions of the 



