NORTH MAGNETIC POLE AND NOETHWEST PASSAGE. 261 



to Boothia Felix, where I succeeded by the help of declination in 

 absolutely proving what of late has been assumed on theoretic 

 grounds, namely, that the magnetic pole has not an immovable and 

 stationary situation, but, in all probability, is in continual move- 

 ment. In what manner this movement takes place our considerable 

 amount of material acquired by observation will, when it has been 

 worked out, give instructive information. 



The magnetic observations were kept going day and night, without 

 interruption, for nineteen months. Meteorological observations were 

 also taken the whole of the time. Professor Mohn had equipped 

 the expedition with a complete set of meteorological instruments, 

 and made it his business that the meteorologist of the expedition 

 should receive the best instruction. The meteorologist. Dr. Aksel 

 Steen, was my magnetic counselor at home in Norway before the 

 departure of the exj^edition, and many a good bit of advice did he 

 give me. The astronomical equipment was for the greater part due 

 to Professor Geelmuyden. 



The Eskimo came and Avent now as often as they liked, and in 

 a short time became quite at home with us. Toward Christmas 

 they all disappeared, with the exception of an old man, Teraiu, with 

 his wife, Kaijoggolo, and little son, Nutara. They came and lived 

 with us during the whole of the coldest part of the winter, the rest 

 of the tribe having gone westward to capture seal. 



Christmas was now approaching with rapid steps, and countless 

 preparations were made. The days had begun to be shorter and the 

 cold sharper. Then came Christmas eve, the first on board the G'jda. 

 The weather was splendid, absolutely still, and sparklingly bright. 

 The thermometer — 40° F. ( — iO° C). And what a Christmas eve 

 it was out here. "Was not heaven itself sending us a greeting? The 

 most glorious aurora we had yet seen lighted up the entire sky in 

 chasing ra3^s from the horizon toward the zenith. The rays seemed 

 to be racing one another, racing to see which would be the first in 

 the wild chase. Then they all suddenly unite, as if at a given signal, 

 and change into the shape of a soft, delicately formed ribbon, twist- 

 ing in light and graceful movements. It is as if the unquiet beams 

 had now sought rest. Are they, perhaps, thinking of something 

 new ? Then suddenly the beautiful ribbon is, as it were, torn in 

 many pieces. Again begins the chase, again the wild flight. It is 

 difficult to imagine what the next step will be. It seems as if the 

 zenith would now be chosen as the central point for the whole move- 

 ment. And so it is. Suddenly, as if by magic, the most glorious 

 corona streams forth from it. 



Christmas goes, the New Year comes. The many holidays have 

 already begun to tire us, and we take up our work again with 

 pleasure. The first item on our program is the equipment for my 



