INTRODUCTION. 3! 



On the 5th February there began the most violent snowstorm that we had during our stay there, 

 and it lasted almost uninterruptedly until the gth. While it was going on. it was exceedingly difficult 

 to carry out the meteorological observations. The thermometer-screen stood only four or five metres 

 from the door, but on one occasion five vain attempts were made to get a reading of the thermometers. 



It was especially during the dark season, which lasted about four months, that the storms raged 

 worst; but October too was a bad month. The calmest and most beautiful time was July, August, and 

 part of September. 



It will be easily understood that weather such as this placed enormous difficulties in the way of the 

 observations. It was, for instance, impossible, with the few means at our disposal, to prevent even great 

 changes in temperature and humidity occurring in the magnetic register-room. The warm, damp air 

 found its way into the observatory through the ventilators, and precipitated its moisture upon the instru- 

 ments, dimmed the glasses, etc. Even the bases for the instruments, which were built into the rock, 

 were not altogether beyond the possibility of change. 



THE AURORAL STATION IN NOVAJA SEMLJA. 



10. The station was situated on Matotchkin Schar, on the western side of the island, in a bay in 

 the strait. The latitude of the place is 73 16' 38" N, and its longitude 53 57' i' E. No map was made, 

 but the accompanying sketch will make the conditions intelligible. 



The members of the expedition were H. RIDDERVOLD, science graduate (chief), and H. SCHAANNING 

 and J. KOREN as assistants. 



EQUIPMENT. 



Magnetic Instruments. 



For magnetic measurements we had a set of terrestrial-magnetic registering apparatuses of the 

 Eschenhagen pattern, made by Otto Toepfer, Potsdam. For the absolute measurements of the magnetic 

 elements, a unifilar magnetometer of the Kew pattern, made by Eliott Brothers, and a Dover's inclinatorium. 



Meteorological Apparatuses. 



For meteorological uses there were a mercurial barometer, 6 thermometers Vs C., 2 sling-thermo- 

 meters, a thermometer-screen, 4 minimum thermometers, a cloud-measuring apparatus, and an anemometer 

 Richard, besides forms, etc. 



Electrical Apparatuses. 



For electric measurements (atmospheric electricity) we had an Elster & Geitel's electroscope with 

 a Zamboni battery and other accessories. 



Astronomical Instruments. 



For astronomical uses we had a theodolite and two box-chronometers, a Poulsen No. 5 and a 

 Kessel No. 1280. 



There were also some tools, guns and ammunition, and the necessary provisions. 

 On the I4th August, our instruments, baggage, coal and wood were landed and brought to the 

 station. The instruments had suffered little on the whole, and could be set up without much difficulty. 



BUILDINGS. 



Two observation-houses we had brought with us were erected, namely: 

 The magnetic register-observatory, and 

 The observatory for absolute measures. 



