360 observations. 



the result of which was, latitude 65° 54/ 18" N., 

 longitude 98° 10' 7" W., variation 29° 16' E. ; 

 thus showing a diminution of the latter as we 

 made northing : and indeed, the powerful action 

 of some influence was apparent in the increasing 

 sluggishness of the compass, which of late re- 

 quired to be frequently tapped at the sides to 

 make it move. But the most interesting observ- 

 ations were those for dip and intensity, particu- 

 larly with Hansteen's needle. The former was 

 taken with a vertical compass by Dollond, which 

 wasvery dull and heavy, making few vibra- 

 tions; and when within 10° or 15° from its last 

 vibration, swagging, and ultimately stopping sud- 

 denly. For the latter a horizontal one was used, 

 which moved remarkably slow, and seemed to 

 hang at the extremity of every oscillation ; but 

 still vibrated longer and more steadily than 

 might have been expected after the working of 

 the other. 



I had now also leisure to ascend the highest of 

 the rocks, which had a smooth table summit of 

 quartz, red felspar, and horneblende, the red 

 predominating at that part, though partially co- 

 vered with a grey and minute yellow lichen. The 

 Esquimaux had here erected a small obelisk of 

 slabs, placed perpendicularly on each other; and 

 within a few paces of it were two more marks, 

 one consisting of three longitudinal fragments 



