A. INTRODUCTION. 



Attempts are continually being made to extend the knowledge we possess 

 regarding the magnetic conditions of our globe, both by regular observations 

 with fixed instruments in observatories specially arranged for that purpose, 

 and by occasional, but systematically prepared observations during scientific 

 journeys. It is of especial importance to obtain determinations of the magnetic 

 elements from the polar regions, because the observations have naturally 

 hitherto been rather scarce from these deserted wastes, containing large tracts 

 where the foot of man has never yet trod, and whose physical conditions 

 place all kinds of difficulties in the way of delicate scientific investigations. 

 They are also important because the action of the earth's magnetic forces in 

 these very regions, judging from the observations that have been obtained, 

 presents peculiarities to which there is no parallel in the temperate and 

 torrid zones. 



It was therefore reasonable that investigations of terrestrial magnetism 

 should form an important part of Dr. NANSEN'S plan for the scientific work 

 of the Norwegian Polar Expedition. 



The member of the expedition who was appointed to conduct these 

 investigations was Lieutenant, now Captain R. N. SIGURD SCOTT-HANSEN, 

 who, all through the three years in the ice, made all the observations be- 

 longing to this subject with unabated interest and great skill. 



During the preparations for the expedition, Professor MOHN applied to 

 the director of 'Deutsche Seewarte' in Hamburg, the famous magnetician, 

 Professor Dr. G. NEUMAYER, with a request that he would give his valuable 



