No. 2. [from the Antarctic Manual, 1901.] 



CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL NOTES 



IT is unnecessary to frame instructions to the chemist 

 and physicist with regard to the performance of routine 

 operations. He must be fully instructed and practised in 

 these matters before he leaves. Still less is it necessary to 

 frame instructions for carrying out delicate operations such 

 as the determination of the amount of carbonic acid, and of 

 the permanent gases present in the sea-water, because these 

 operations can only be carried out, in the way that would 

 justify the expenditure of time, by an expert who had 

 previously provided himself with all the apparatus and 

 appliances which are necessary. 



But there is another class of observations which it is very 

 desirable to make. They are not routine observations ; they 

 may rather be termed observations by the way. Elaborate 

 provision of instruments is not necessary. What is most 

 important is to have a definite idea of the kind of observa- 

 tions that are wanted, and of the way to make them. 



The following notes have reference to this class of work, 

 which is perhaps the most fascinating, and may be the most 

 fruitful that can be engaged in. They are for a large part 

 reprinted from two papers, one of which 1 was originally 

 drawn up with a view to an Antarctic Expedition, and was 

 read at the Dover Meeting of the British Association in 

 1 899 ; the other 2 is a paper which was read before the Royal 



1 'On the Physical and Chemical Work of an Antarctic Expedition,' by 

 J. Y. Buchanan, F.R.S. Geographical Journal, November, 1899. 



2 ' On Rapid Variations of Atmospheric Temperature, especially during Fohn, 

 and the methods of observing them,' by J. Y. Buchanan, F.R.S. Proc, R, S., 

 vol. Ivi. p. 1 08. 



