Chap. IX. PARRY'S POLAR VOYAGE. 321 



clear by considering that apparent time refers only 

 to the particular meridian on which an observer 

 happens to be placed, and is marked and deter- 

 mined only by the distance of the sun or other 

 heavenly body from that meridian. An observer 

 at the Pole being on no one meridian, but at the 

 point where all meridians meet, apparent time has 

 to him no longer either existence or meaning. 



Before our navigators entered upon this expe- 

 dition, their attention was naturally directed to the 

 best, and, indeed, only certain, method of ensuring 

 their return from the Pole on the right meridian. 

 Two methods, and, we believe, only two, present 

 themselves for this purpose ; the one being by the 

 compass, the other by means of chronometers, From 

 the observations already made in the Arctic regions, 

 it may be considered as certain that, at the Pole, 

 the magnetic needle would freely traverse, and the 

 compass remain an efficient practical instrument. 

 For as it is to the magnetic pole, and not to the 

 pole of the earth, that the needle is directed, and 

 as the dip of the needle only amounts to 82° 22' at 

 the most northerly point yet reached, it is probable 

 that the horizontal or directive force of the needle 

 would continue strong and efficient at the Pole ; 

 and consequently, that the magnetic bearing of any 

 point on the globe might be accurately obtained by 

 it. Indeed, none of the singular phenomena relat- 

 ing to the magnetic needle observed by Parry on 



