PREFACE. 



The observations, of which a record is contained in this volume, were made at Fort Rae, on 

 the Great Slave Lake, during the 12 months extending from September 1, 1882 to 

 August 31, 1883. 



Fort Rae formed one of the series of circumpolar positions, occupied in accordance with 

 the scheme proposed by the late Lieut. C. "Weyprecht, for concerted physical observations, 

 to be carried on for at least a full year, at different stations situated around the Poles. 



The units of measure of the observations, the methods of reduction, the scales for graphical 

 representation of the curves, and the form of publication, were fixed by the International 

 Polar Committee at their meeting at Vienna in April 1884. 



The expense of the Expedition was defrayed by grants from the British Grovernment, and 

 from the Government of the Dominion of Canada. 



The management of the undertaking was vested in the Royal Society, and by the Society 

 was entrusted to a Committee consisting of the following Fellows : — 



The President ^ 



The Treasurer ^ex-officio 



The Secretaries J 



John Rae, M.D. 



Admiral Sir G. H. Richards. 



Robert H. Scott. 



The discussion of the magnetic observations has been carried out by myself, with the 

 assistance of Mr. G. M. Whipple, of Kew Observatory. The meteorological discussions have 

 been entirely carried out by Mr. R. Sti'achan and Mr. John A. Curtis of the Meteorological 

 Office. 



(Signed) H. P. Dawson, 

 March 1886. Captain, R.A. 



