SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS. I929 5 



is hoped that the two ohserving stations in North and South America 

 will suffice to continue a sufficient record of solar variation. 



During the latter part of the year 1928 the apparatus at Mount 

 Montezuma got so much out of order as to prejudice the observations. 

 Aided by a generous grant from Mr. Roebling it was possible to send 

 Mr. L. B. Aldrich, who has had much experience in building and 

 adjusting delicate parts of the outfit, to put all in order. He remained 

 in Chile during part of January and February, 1929, rebuilt the deli- 

 cate galvanometer c()m])letcly. and readjusted the entire outfit. The 

 last similar overhauling was made by Aldrich in 1925. and prior to 

 that by Dr. Abbot in 1921. Wdien it is considered that the l)olometric 

 outfit used, which includes the galvanometer just mentioned, is able 

 to observe changes of tem])erature in the spectrum as small as one 

 one-millionth of a degree, it may be thought remarkable that trouble 

 develops so infrequentlv. 



The following excerpts from recent letters of the directors of the 

 three field stations ])resent some of the interesting aspects of the year's 

 work. 



Mr. .Sordabl writes in November, 1929, from the station on Mt. 

 llruk'karos. South West Africa: 



A'c are now quite well located in our new surroundings and have some time 

 to look around and see wliat kind of neighbors we have. The Karoo was covered 

 with flowers in bloom as there had been a drenching rain in tlie preceding week, 

 the first in several years. The people certainly are very friendij^ and Mrs. Dryden 

 is almost like a motiier to all of us. 



The Hottentots accuse your party, in particular yourself, for the long drought 

 at the present time, but indications are that we will have a wet year, the old 

 settlers maintain. 



Mr. Hoover will undoubtedly tell you what the present view is regarding the 

 origin of the mountain as a volcano. Recently, after being told of the fact some 

 time ago, I have found that there is handed down a legend, one might call it, 

 among the natives that they saw smoke issuing from the crater about two hun- 

 dred years ago, but the evidence is too questionable to have much weight among 

 the people here. One item which may be of interest in case it is not already 

 known, is the origin or the meaning of the name Brukkaros, which I liave been 

 tokl means "the broken belt" as it appears from Rerseba — a complete circle 

 except for the pass by our waterhole. 



Leopards have been getting quite active about five miles southwest of us and 

 are killing cattle for the natives, and one boy was recently killed. We have two 

 30-30 rifles with whicli to welcome them, so they will probably avoid this place. 

 We are rather anticipating hunting season as the springbok are quite numerous 

 and should be interesting to get. We were down swimming in the Fish River 

 and found our region is not so destitute for recreation. Yesterday we bagged a 

 wild duck and look forward to a feast if Margaret is in the similar spirit. She 



