Observers' Field Reports 121 



being covered with snow. In the upper part of its course the Tigris passes through some 

 grand scenery deep gorges and mountains, from which flow many beautiful, clear streams. 

 Mosul was reached December 2, and Kaleh Shergat, December 9. At Kaleh Shergat a 

 German expedition was excavating the ancient Assyrian city of Asshur. At the request 

 of the director of the expedition, azimuth determinations were made on the site of the 

 excavations. Magnetic elements were also determined at Kaleh Shergat. We arrived at 

 Bagdad December 17. The winter at Bagdad was unusually severe. 



Supplied with letters to the authorities in the Euphrates and Tigris Valleys, from 

 Nazim Pasha, then vali of Bagdad, and afterwards commander of the Turkish army in 

 eastern Macedonia, we set out December 28 by carriage from Bagdad to go to Anah on 

 the Euphrates. On December 30 at Ramadieh we were put in quarantine on account of 

 cholera at Bagdad; however, while in quarantine, the desired observations were made. 

 We arrived at Anah January 7, 1911, made observations January 8, and set out on the return 

 journey Januar}^ 9, Bagdad being again reached January 16. A second trip from Bagdad 

 was made by carriage to Hillah, which was reached January 25. The day we set out on the 

 return journey was the coldest experienced by me in the 3 years of travel. We returned 

 to Bagdad January 30. About February 1, at Bagdad, the observer dispensed with his 

 interpreter and employed instead an Arab, who acted both as interpreter and as cook. 



On Februarj^ 7 we went by steamer to Basra, arri\'ing there February 12, securing 

 en route observations at Amara, and sailing next to Muscat, which was reached February 

 22. At Muscat we tried to arrange for a trip along the coast of Arabia from Muscat to 

 Aden, but though most cordially assisted by the British representative, we were obliged 

 to abandon the attempt. Instead we sailed to Bombay. With the cooperation of the 

 director of the observatories at Bombay, Mr. N. A. F. Moos, intercomparisons of instru- 

 ments were secured at the Alibag Observatory. 



We arrived at Aden IVIarch 31 and reoccupied one of Mr. Pearson's stations. Leaving 

 Aden April 3, we landed at Massawa April 5, where observations were made, as also at 

 Port Sudan, Suakin, Hodeida, and Tor. Mr. Pearson's station at Suez was reoccupied. 

 At Suakin passage was taken on the steamship Mansourah, conmianded by Captain 

 Spagna, through whose influence observations were made possible at Jidda and Tor. 



At Helwan, through the courteous cooperation of the observatorj- authorities, inter- 

 comparisons of instruments were made, the work being completed here June 1, 1911. 



The observer wishes to make particular note of the kind treatment received from the 

 Turkish officials and from the people. In the far interior it was often necessary to utilize 

 private fields and gardens for observing; at no place, after the object was explained, was 

 there objection made. Manj^ courtesies were extended by various persons, consuls, mis- 

 sionaries, and government officials. 



The time required for the work from the date of leaving Washington, December 29, 

 1909, to the completion of the work at Cairo (Helwan), June 1, was 17 months, or 518 days. 

 This was about 6 days per station occupied, including intercomparisons of instruments at 

 Constantinople, Alibag, and Helwan. About 22,300 miles were traversed; of this about 

 5,400 miles were covered in reaching the field. Of the total distance, 12,340 miles was by 

 steamship on sea, 6,900 miles by railroad, 1,500 miles by carriage, 940 miles by pack animals 

 through the mountains, and 600 miles by raft (keleks) on the Tigris River. Excluding the 

 travel in reaching the field, the average number of miles traversed in reaching each station 

 was about 200. 



