202 Land Magnetic Observations, 1914-20 



W. F. Wallis, on Magnetic Work in Abyssinia, and Along the Mediterranean and Red 

 Sea Coasts, Africa, October 1913 to December 1914. 



The Department's work in Italy and North Africa was executed under instructions 

 dated October 9, 1913, and March 18, 1914, with the following instrumental outfit: 

 theodolite-magnetometer No. 10; dip circle No. 202; marine chronometer; pocket chro- 

 nometer; 3 watches; aneroid barometer; and observing tent. 



I left Washington on October 17, 1913, and sailed from New York the following 

 morning, landing at Naples on October 31. In Rome I called on Professor Luigi Pal- 

 azzo, Director of the Bureau of Meteorology and Geodynamics, and obtained his co- 

 operation and advice in regard to our proposed work. After reoccupying the mag- 

 netic station at Monte Mario, near Rome, I spent a week at Terracina, comparing the 

 Department's instruments with Professor Palazzo's. We then returned to Rome. 



The necessary passport for entrance into the colony of Libya was obtained from the 

 Minister of Colonies through the assistance of the American Ambassador at Rome, the 

 Hon. Thomas Nelson Page. His Excellency, the Minister of Colonies, also kindly gave 

 me letters of introduction to the governors of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica. 



On the way to Tripoli, a magnetic station was established at Messina, which Pro- 

 fessor Rizzo, Director of the Meteorological Observatory, kindly assisted in selecting. 

 The site he had chosen for a magnetic observatory among the hills about 5 miles from 

 Messina, was later visited at his invitation. 



Reaching Tripoli on December 15, I met the American Consul, Mr. John Q. Wood, 

 who presented me to the Governor of Tripolitania. The Governor advised against any 

 present work inland in Tripolitania on account of military activities, and on his advice 

 plans were made for a journey eastward to Alexandria on vessels that make weekly 

 calls at various points along the coast. He also very kindly gave me letters of intro- 

 duction to the officers commanding the garrisons at the points where I proposed to 

 land. Through these letters and similar ones from the Governor of Cyrenaica, I was 

 everywhere accorded the most courteous and hospitable treatment by Italian army 

 officers. 



Before leaving Tripoli, I reoccupied the station of 1905 established by Professor 

 Palazzo, and at his request made observations at the Oasis of Tajura on the site chosen 

 for a magnetic observatory for the Italian government. From Tobruk, the last station 

 in Cyrenaica, it was necessary to sail directly to Alexandria, as a large band of hostile 

 Arabs encamped on the way made it impossible to travel through by camel along the 

 Egyptian coast. 



After reoccupying the magnetic station near Alexandria, I went to Helwan and spent 

 3 days at the Khedivial Observatory comparing my instruments with those of the 

 Egyptian government, and thence to Cairo where I obtained from government officials 

 suggestions and advice regarding travel along the north coast of Egypt and general 

 information regarding the status of the magnetic survey of Egypt. 



Returning to Alexandria, I began making preparations for a journey westward 

 along the coast to Sellum. The Director of Coast Guards on the north coast gave me 

 valuable assistance in these preparations and, by notifying the commanders at the Coast 

 Guard stations of my coming, secured for me the greatest hospitality and assistance on 

 my arrival. I left Alexandria on April 10 by rail for the terminus about 145 miles west. 

 The journey from the rail terminus to Sellum was made with 3 camel-drivers and 7 

 camels. The first 2 days were rendered rather unpleasant by a cold northwest wind 

 blowing in our faces, and we finally entered Matruh in a blinding sandstorm, where I 

 was cordially greeted by the Coast Guard officer. Three days were spent at Matruh, 

 making observations and obtaining chronometer corrections from Cairo by telegraph. 

 Our caravan again moved for 2 days through desert country to Negeiyila, a small native 



