96 
For the purpose of determining the true figure of the earth, we 
must obtain a mass of new material of uniform character, uniformly 
distributed over the whole earth, and representing thousands of 
stations. 
If, as it is to be hoped—owing to the keen interest which, after 
so great a lapse of time, is again exhibited on all sides with regard 
to determinations of gravity—very numerous measurements are 
undertaken at no very distant period by all civilized countries on 
the continent of Europe, the area thus investigated only represents 
a small portion of the whole surface of the globe. By far the 
greatest part of the globe is only accessible by distant voyages, and 
the execution of the observations by means of private persons 
would take too much time and money.” 
The Austro-Hungarian Admiralty has always had a true percep- 
tion of the circumstances above mentioned, and has taken the 
initiative by including observations of gravity among the duties to 
be performed by ships at foreign stations, in order to make the 
voyages of the ships belonging to their navy as useful to science as 
possible. For this purpose two of Sterneck’s pendulum instru- 
ments have been procured, and the officers of the navy have been 
made thoroughly familiar, at the Vienna Military Geographical In- 
stitute, with the carrying out of gravity determinations. At the 
present time, there are already two ships in the China seas which 
are furnished with complete apparatus, and the equipment of a 
third vessel for the Mediterranean is already in progress. 
Observations will be taken at numerous stations, and we may 
fairly hope for very good results, from the great interest the officers 
have taken in the subject and their good education, as well as from 
the simplicity of the apparatus and of the observations themselves. 
The Ministry of Marine has thus shown the right way by which it 
is possible to secure for science, in a relatively short space of time, 
a copious amount of necessary data. 
I may, in conclusion, express the hope that their initiative may 
stir up other maritime powers and result in a speedy, general par- 
ticipation in this undertaking. We may then hope that, in spite of 
the many difficulties, the important object in view may soon be 
attained ; for what individuals cannot do may be easily accom- 
plished by united forces, 
(Signed) R. v. STERNECK, Oberst Lieutenant. 
VIENNA, January, 1893. 
