Objects of Observing Stations. 95 



As it was impossible to give the officers in charge of stations 

 detailed instructions which would be of service in every contingency 

 which might arise, they were required to observe and enforce the 

 following rules : 



(a) " Every possible precaution is to be taken against fire ; and 

 as it is anticipated that the temperature can be maintained consider- 

 ably above the freezing point inside the houses, two buckets full of 

 water are always to be kept ready for instant use. 



(6) " As the successful carrying out of the observations will in a 

 great measure depend on the health of the party, the need of exercise 

 is strongly insisted on during the winter months, and also that each 

 member of the party shall partake freely of the lime juice supplied. 



(c) " Each party is supplied with a boat ; but unless some emerg- 

 ency require it, it must be a rule that neither afloat nor ashore must 

 any of the party leave the station for a greater distance than they 

 can be sure of being able to return the same day. 



(d) " As soon as possible after the houses are completed and the 

 stores all in place, the party will set to work collecting sods, grass or 

 any other non-conducting material ; and before the winter sets in the 

 whole house is to be covered with this, boards overlaid and snow 

 packed over all ; the assistance of the Eskimos should, if possible, 

 be obtained, and the whole houses arched over with snow." 



Besides all this work,Mr.Stupart will make extensive observations 

 in terrestrial magnetism. The magnetic action of the terrestrial globe 

 produces results greatly affecting the mariner's compass, hence it 

 becomes necessary not only that navigators shall be acquainted with 

 these forces, but that, as they differ in different latitudes, they should 

 have a knowledge of these differences, which can be obtained only 

 by a long series of observations. In order that the navigator of 

 Hudson Strait may be able to intelligently read his compass, and 

 therefore avoid running upon the rocks, it is absolutely necessary 

 for him to be acquainted with the magnitude of the magnetic forces 

 in every portion of the Strait. This is done by recording such ob- 

 servations as Mr. Stupart will make during his stay at the place 

 which bears his own name. ' 



I have gathered from Walker's work on Terrestrial and Cosmical 



