DEPAllTIMENT OF TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM. 265 



Queensland and it is expected that observations will be made at 

 about 20 additional stations. In March, Mr. Kidson made com- 

 parisons with the magnetometer at the Red Hill Observatory and 

 during April he compared the instruments of the Department, 

 returned jjy the Mawson Antarctic Expedition, with those used by 

 him. For reference to the magnetic work accomplished by Mr. 

 E. N. Webb, on this expedition, see General Summary, p. 257. 



Canada. — A magnetic expedition covering a little explored part 

 of the district of Patricia was undertaken and brought to a successful 

 conclusion under the charge of Dr. H. M. W. Edmonds, assisted by 

 Observer D. M. Wise. A particularly interesting and important 

 feature of this field-work was the proximity of the line of observa- 

 tions to the supposed region of maximum total intensity. The party 

 left Washington May 16 for Fort William and thence to Lac Seul, 

 where they outfitted at the Hudson Bay Company's post. With 

 Indian canoemen and guides and two canoes they proceeded to Lake 

 St. Joseph, observing en route. Near Osnaburgh observations were 

 made exactly over Fawcett's post of 1885. Thence the party pro- 

 ceeded up Cat River to Cat Lake and a side trip was made towards 

 the northwest to the region of supposed maximum intensity as 

 disclosed by Lefroy's observations of 1845. The journey was con- 

 tinued by way of Cedar River and Windigo Lake, thence across very 

 difficult, uncharted country to Trout Lake. From there a better- 

 known line of travel down the Fawn and Severn Rivers brought the 

 party on July 17 to Fort Severn, on Hudson Bay. Observations 

 were made at 19 points on this stretch. Many portages and 

 rapids, stormy lakes, and bad weather made the traveling hard and 

 the party arrived at Fort Severn with provisions gone and found also 

 empty warehouses, but the arrival of a coast steamer with supplies 

 enabled them to make a partial provision for proceeding further. 



The next portion of the trip lay along the shores of Hudson and 

 James Bays — considered a particularly dangerous bit of canoe work, 

 especially as the canoes of the region are shaped for inland work. 

 This region has very seldom been traversed, even by a native, and 

 no guides were obtainable. After leaving Fort Severn, magnetic 

 observations were made at 8 stations along the coast and also at 

 Fort Albany. One station occupied was at the point of separation 

 of Hudson and James Bays. The party arrived at Fort Albany on 

 August 31. From here the expedition was continued up the Albany 

 River, making stops for observations about every 50 miles in a 

 straight line till near Osnaburgh. Up this river progress was by 

 tracking, poling, and paddling, there being many portages. Part 

 of this journey was made during snow storms and rapid progress 

 was necessary to reach the railroad before the freezing-up. Bad 



