UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN. 357 



stop. Magnetic observations of any value are impos- 

 sible, because of our ever-changing positions. Rough 

 observations for the variations and clip are obtained, 

 but they will serve only for convenient approximate 

 reference, and will have no exact scientific importance. 

 The constant change of position prevents any correct 

 pendulum experiments from being made. No astro- 

 nomical observations, except determinations of latitude 

 and longitude, with sextant and artificial horizon, have 

 been possible, because the erection of the observatory 

 and the mounting of the instruments on the ice, in our 

 situation, would have exposed them to loss should a 

 break-up occur. Soundings are made daily, and speci- 

 mens of the bottom obtained and preserved for future 

 reference. Temperatures of the surface water are re- 

 corded every second day at the sounding hole, and that 

 exhausts hydrography for us. At this temperature it 

 is not practicable to add water cups and sea thermome- 

 ters to our lead line, for it ices up so fast, and breaks so 

 readily when frozen, that we might lose cups and ther- 

 mometers. Natural History is well looked out for. 

 Any animal or bird that comes near the ship does so at 

 the peril of its life. 



So far, therefore, as is possible, we do all that we can. 

 People who have, like ourselves, been caught in the 

 pack have been able to do no more, and in some in- 

 stances not so much. 



At two A. M., in a sudden squall, one of the wire stays 

 preventing the fans of the windmill from spreading 

 out parted, and the fans spreading out came against 

 the tripod, bang, bang, breaking two of them short off 

 at the hub. The stay of the other two held on, and 

 with the wind blowing as it did, these two did all the 

 pumping, as if nothing had happened. Fortunately the 

 damage can be repaired without much trouble. 



