A SCHOOL OF NAVIGATION. 381 



vations upon the fluctuation of the declination of the pole 

 were made in connexion Tvith notices upon the rapidly 

 changing appearance of the Aurora. This work, upon 

 which, and more especially upon the scientific work 

 during the winter, a glance will be taken in the next 

 chapters, was often difficult enough, as it had to be 

 written do'UTi in the open air by the light of a lamp for 

 hours together. The captain made use of the clear 

 evenings to take a number of lunar calculations. The 

 temperature and the thickness of the ice were also 

 measured. The latter, at some distance from the ship, 

 was thirty-six and a half English inches. 



Thus our daily life passed pretty regularly, one day 

 being much as another. Scientific work we had in plent}^ 

 Our leisure hours were spent agreeably in reading, play- 

 ing at chess, and conversation. 



One great evil we still had to contend with was the 

 small room, and especially the small table, which we had 

 to share. In any great zoological work, this was so con- 

 siderable, that Dr. Pansch had to make use of the night 

 hours, when all but the watch had gone to rest. 



A decided change had now taken place in the life of 

 the men by the introduction of a navigation school. 

 The captain's suggestion for this object was received 

 with great approbation ; indeed, every one wanted to take 

 a part in it. But on the 25th the school was opened 

 with four scholars : P. Iversen, P. Ellinger, Th. Klentzer, 

 and G. Herzberg. The captain taught navigation, Dr. 

 Borgen undertook geography and astronomy. Dr. Cope- 

 land natural science. 



An hour was given every day, and the men had enough 

 to do to get through the work and impress it upon their 



