Appendix B 389 



floating dial is preferred it should be of aluminum and 

 nothing smaller than two and one half inches, for the 

 same reason as mentioned above regarding the prismatic 

 compass. 



Expense should not be spared if it is necessary to 

 secure good compasses. Avoid paper dials and leather 

 cases which absorb moisture. The compass case should 

 allow taking apart for cleaning and drying. 



The regular chronometer movement, because of its 

 delicacy, is out of the question for rough land or water 

 travel. We had with us a small-sized half-chronometer 

 movement recently brought out by the Waltham Com- 

 pany as a yacht chronometer. It gave a surprisingly even 

 rate under the most adverse conditions. I was sorry to 

 lose it in the rapids of the Papagaio when our canoes 

 went down. 



The watches should be waterproof with strong cases, 

 and several should be taken. It would be well to have 

 a dozen cheap but good watches and the same number of 

 compasses for use around camp and for gifts or trade 

 along the line of travel. Money is of no value after one 

 leaves the settlements. I was surprised to find that many 

 of the rubber hunters were not provided with compasses, 

 and I listened to an American who told of having been 

 lost in the depths of the great forest where for days he 

 lived on monkey meat secured with his rifle until he found 

 his way to the river. He had no compass and could not 

 get one. I was sorry I had none to give ; I had lost mine 

 in the rapids. 



For the determination of latitude and longitude there 

 is nothing better than a small four or five inch theodolite 



