TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM IN ITS RELATION TO 

 GEOGRAPHY." 



By Capt. Ettrick W. Creak, C. B., R. N., F. B. «. 



Of the six disting'uishcd naval officers who have previously presided 

 'over this section, four were arctic explorers,- and therefore, possessing 

 personal experience in arctic regions, the}' naturally gave prominence 

 to the deeply interesting subject of the past and future of arctic dis- 

 covery in their addresses, while not forgetting other matters relating 

 to the geography of the sea. The remaining officers, from their imme- 

 ditttc connection with all that relates to the physical condition of the 

 ocean, in its widest sense, coupled with the great importance of giving 

 the fruits of their knowledge to the world, took that sul)ject as their 

 principal theme. 



Valuable as are contributions to our knowledge of the physics of the 

 ocean to the world in general, and especially to the mariner and water- 

 borne landsman, I propose to take a ditferent course, and l)ring to your 

 notice the subject of terrestrial magnetism in its relation to geography. 

 In doing so I shall endeavor to show that much may be done by the 

 traveler on land and the seaman at sea in helping to fathom the mys- 

 teries connected with the behavior of the freely suspended magnetic 

 needle as it is carried about over that great magnet, the earth, l)y 

 observations in different regions, and even in limited areas. 



I would, however, pause a moment to call attention to the presence 

 of several distinguished meteorologists at this meeting, who will surely 

 attract many to the consideration of matters connected with the impor- 

 tant science of meteorology, which alread}' occupies considerable atten- 

 tion from travelers. I feel sure, therefore, that geographers will be 

 glad to accord a hearty welcome to the members of the International 

 Meteorological Congress now assembled in this town, and especially 

 to the foreign visitors who honor us by their presence. 



Some one may ask, What has terrestrial magnetism to do with 

 geography? I reph. Excellent lectures on that subject of growing 

 importance have been given imder the direct auspices of the Royal 



<« The president's address to Set^tiou E (geograpliy) at tlie SoutlipDrt meeting of 

 tiie British Aseoeiation. Beprinle<l after revision by the author from tlie Scottish 

 Geographical Maga/ine for Octol)er, 1903. 



SM 19t)3 26 ^'^^ 



