326 Report on Terrestrial Magnetism. 



that, for some time at least, it would be found quite impracti- 

 cable to obtain regular observations at these important stations. 

 It would likewise be desirable that there should be a station in 

 Nova Scotia or Newfoundland ; the latter would be the prefer- 

 able position. 



If the government of the United States were to gi e their 

 cordial co-operation to M. de Humboldt's plan, by the esta- 

 blishment of three or more permanent magnetical observatories, 

 in different longitudes, these, with what we may expect to be un- 

 dertaken by Russia in the extreme north-west, and our own esta- 

 blishments, would afford the means of obtaining a mass of more 

 interesting magnetical observations than could perhaps be de- 

 rived from any other portion of the earth's surface. 



M. de Humboldt mentions New Holland, Ceylon, the Mau- 

 ritius, the Cape of Good Hope, St Helena, and a point on the 

 east coast of South America, as desirable stations, and we fully 

 concur in the propriety of the selection. Although Van Die- 

 men's Land, from its greater proximity to the southern magne- 

 tic pole, would be a more advantageous position for magnetical 

 observations than Paramatta, yet the circumstance alone of there 

 being an astronomical observatory established at Paramatta, 

 renders it peculiarly adapted for a magnetical station. Possibly 

 circumstances may hereafter admit of magnetical observations 

 being also made at Hobart Town, in conformity with the gene- 

 ral plan which may be adopted. 



The Island of Ascension, from its proximity to the magnetic 

 equator, would possess peculiar advantages for a magnetical sta- 

 tion ; but these must, in a great degree, be counterbalanced by 

 the nature of its soil, which, being wholly volcanic, would exert 

 an influence on the needle that would render observations made 

 there of a doubtful character ; indeed, the same objection ap- 

 plies to St Helena and most of the islands of the Atlantic. Some 

 recent observations, those of Lieut. Allen, R. N., in the expedi- 

 tion up the Niger, would point to the Bight of Benin as a desir- 

 able station ; but the insalubrity of the climate and other cir- 

 cumstances prevent our recommending its adoption. 



M. de Humboldt has not referred to any station in our West 

 Indian colonies, but we consider that circumstances point to Ja- 

 maica as a station where it is very desirable that accurate mag- 



