1 826.] of the Length of the Pendulum at the Equator. 343 



instrument, azimuth compass, circumferentor, and a small box 

 belonging to Captain Crisp, thinking, as it would appear, that 

 the brass parts of the instruments were gold. 



On the 13th of February, Messrs. Robinson and Lawrence 

 commenced the experiments with the pendulum, each taking 

 separate sets. On: the 17th, a boat, with provisions* for the 

 party, arrived from Nattal : some of the islands adjacent to 

 Gaunsah Lout were now visited by a few of the savage inhabit- 

 ants under the pretence of collecting turtle — the party, which 

 consisted of Messrs. Robinson and Lawrence, the sub-con- 

 ductor, and five Lascars, two of these ill of fever, thinking them- 

 selves a good deal exposed, added to what had before occurred, 

 deemed it prudent to keep a look-out during the night, and to 

 establish an armed watch, who proceeded regularly round the 

 island after dark until day-light ; Captain Crisp having been 

 made acquainted with the loss of the instruments, sepoys were 

 despatched to the different islands and places, and search 

 made for them, but without success. The loss of the transit is 

 much to be regretted, as although every precaution was taken 

 to obtain a correct rate by the sun, still the verification of this 

 rate by the stars would have been very satisfactory. 



The experiments with the pendulum were completed on the* 

 20th of March, and, as will be seen, were very numerous, as; 

 well as the observations for the latitude ; the other observations, ~ 

 as directed in the instructions, were also taken. On the 20th, 

 Captain Crisp arrived from Nattal, and on the 2 1st ordered the 

 clock and pendulum of experiment to be taken down, and re- 

 placed in their cases. On the 23d a.m. the instruments, tents, 

 and baggage, having been sent on board the Eleanor, Messrs. 

 Robinson and Lawrence, with the sub-conductor and Lascars, 

 embarked on that vessel, and sailed for Pulo Pinnee, where they 

 anchored in the former birth. On the 24th, Captain Crisp, who 

 had been to Pulo Batooa, arrived, and the Eleanor sailed for 

 Nattal— Mr. Lawrence and the sub-conductor proceeded to 

 Nattal on the small boat, where they arrived the same night. 

 On the 28th, the instruments and some of the baggage were 

 transhipped to the brig Sophia belonging to Mr. Prince ; some 

 observations were made during their stay here. On the 29th, 

 Captain Crisp and family came on board the Sophia, where also 

 was Mr. Lawrence ; and about seven p. m. the vessel was got 

 under weigh, and sailed for Bencoolen ; the Eleanor, with the 

 remainder of the party, sailed, at the same time, for Pulo Pan- 

 jong and Padang, at the former place to take up the conductor, 

 Mr. Hamilton, and to lay down the geographical position of the 

 latter ; the Sophia reached Bencoolen on the 9th of April, when 

 the instruments and baggage were landed ; the brig Eleanor 



* The food of the party consisted chiefly of sdt-fish and rice, with now and then a 

 fowl ; they had no means of fishing, and most of them, indeed, no time. 



