Magnetic Survey of Missouri. Fourth Annual 



Report. 



By Francis E. Nipher. 



During the years 187S, '79 and 'So the magnetic survey of Mis- 

 souri had been extended to all parts of the State, and it was clear 

 that in the further and more detailed prosecution of the work it 

 would not be advantageous to travel by rail. Fortunately the 

 requiiements of the case were fully met by the unsolicited 

 offer of a gentleman of St. Louis to pay the expense involved 

 in the completion of the work. His interest in the work was 

 also shown in the many well-considered suggestions in regard to 

 the fitting out of the expedition, and which added very greatly to 

 our comfort. 



We were provided with two horses. and a strong spring-wagon 

 capable of carrying all our instruments, two tents, folding-cot, 

 etc. The wagon was built especially for the purpose, and was 

 provided with high-backed seats which could be let down so as 

 to make a comfortable couch at night. 



In addition to the instruments taken in previous years, a Green's 

 barometer (No. 1423, belonging to the University) was carried. 

 It was suspended from the roof of the wagon on two steel spirals, 

 one of which ordinarily supported the instrument, the other 

 being brought into play during heavy jolting. The instrument 

 was also guyed by lateral spirals, so that it required ^ eiy little 

 attention. 



I was accompanied by Mr. W. E. KnoUenberg of the Junior 

 class, who acted as volunteer assistant, and by Mr. Andrew 

 O'Reilly of the Freshman class, who was employed to relieve us 

 of the burden of camp duties, but who also rendered important 

 service in the observations. To both of these gentlemen I wish 

 to express a feeling of personal obligation for the manner in 

 which they rendered enjoyable the rough experiences incidental 

 to camp life in a sparsely settled region, and during a peculiarly 

 oppressive summer.* 



* The temperature, as shown by :i carefully exposed thermrfmeter, very frequently rose 

 to 100° F. ; for several days at a time it rose to 104' F., and once reached 109^ F. 



