RESULTS OF ATMOSPHERIC-ELECTRIC OBSERVATIONS 



MADE ABOARD THE GALILEE (1907-1908) AND 



THE CARNEGIE (1909-1916). 



By L. a. Bauer and W. F. G. Swann. 



[Based on Observations and Reports by J. P. Ault, P. H. Dike, C. W. Hewlett, H. F. Johnston, 

 B. Jones, E. Kidson, I. A. Luke, S. J. Mauchly, W. J. Peters, and W. F. G. Swann.] 



INTRODUCTION. 



From the beginning of the ocean work of the Department of Terrestrial 

 Magnetism, it has been its aim to include in the program of scientific work what- 

 ever additional observational researches could be carried on advantageously and 

 profitably without conflicting with the prime object assigned to the Department — 

 the general magnetic survey of the globe. Manifestly it is necessary to restrict our 

 efforts now-a-days to a few specific problems, if the results achieved are to have 

 definite, scientific value. It appears that expeditions designed to undertake 

 research in many and miscellaneous subjects, the interests of which not infrequently 

 clash, are not likely to meet the rigid and exacting requirements of science to-day, 

 though, in their time, such general expeditions had a distinct and well-recognized 

 value. 



The history of modern investigation shows that in most sciences we have not 

 yet reached beyond the observational and experimental stages. It appears that 

 hypotheses and theories should serve chiefly as stepping-stones to still more intensive 

 and unceasing experimentation and observation. We must be fully content if 

 they serve both to stimulate further interest and to cause us to conduct our work 

 with increasing inteUigence and discernment. But this imphes that we quickly 

 determine in what direction our observations and experiments are leading us — in 

 other words, that we so arrange our program of work as to admit of prompt reduc- 

 tion and discussion of results. In brief, we must not permit observations and 

 experimental results to accumulate to such an extent as to make well-nigh impos- 

 sible their publication within a reasonable period. 



The experiences just alluded to seem to require that a piece of research should 

 be undertaken for a given period of years systematically and unceasingly, not 

 spasmodically, and that during this period the work should be so arranged as to 

 permit obtaining the results striven for, expeditiously; moreover, that it should 

 be possible to make opportunely and with promptness any necessary improvement 

 in the work. Now these requirements set a definite limit to work of any kind which 

 may be undertaken, especially such as is of world-wide extent. No one vessel can 

 meet the precise needs of many sciences, nor can any one scientific party be large 

 enough to grapple advantageously with more than a comparatively few sets of 

 problems. Indeed, as additional experience is gained in the conduct of world prob- 

 lems which must be kept going continuously for a period of years, the more and 

 more does this conclusion appear to be emphasized: Keep the problems as few as 

 possible, and have the scientific party no larger than is necessary to solve such 



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