INTRODUCTION. 41 



INSTRUCTIONS 



FOR THE ASTRONOMICAL AND PHYSICAL OPERATIONS ON THE 

 VOYAGE TO THE NORTH POLE, UNDER THE COMMAND OF 

 M. VON KOTZEBUE. 



Considering the rare occurrence of scientific 

 voyages to distant climates, it is of great import- 

 ance, especially in expeditions, which, by the spirit 

 of their equipment, and of their conductor, promise 

 unusual acquisitions to geography and the natural 

 sciences in general, that nothing relative to theory 

 be neglected, which may facilitate the labours of 

 the navigator, who is occupied with other cares, 

 and hindered by various difficulties, and may di- 

 rect his attention to the most useful operations. 

 In itself, indeed, it is difficult to give beforehand 

 any complete indication of the infinitude of diver- 

 sified forms, under which Nature develops her 

 powers in the production of the actual pheno- 

 mena ; and the instructions for the physical 

 operations of the navigator might be much more 

 conveniently comprised in the simple and never 

 enough to be recommended rule, " attentively to 

 observe, and circumstantially to describe, every 

 unusual appearance," and especially to measure 

 every thing mensurable. Notwithstanding this, an 

 imperfect attempt to class the labours of the navi- 

 gator in this respect, and to guide his efforts to 

 the most important objects, cannot be without 

 advantage to the success of his endeavours. 



