OUTFIT FOR TRAVELLING 357 



smaller sizes the magnet is not powerful enough to move the dial 

 quickly or accurately. 



Several good pocket compasses must be provided. They should 

 all have good-sized needles, with the north end well marked and 

 degrees engraved in metal. If the floating dial is preferred, it 

 should be of aluminium, 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 clean- 

 ing 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 Company 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 com- 

 passes, 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 4- or 5-inch theodolite, not over fifteen 

 pounds in weight. It should have a good prism eyepiece with an 

 angle tube attached, so it would not be necessary to break one's 

 neck in reading high altitudes. For days we travelled in the 

 direction the sun was going, with altitudes varying from 88° to 

 90°. Because of these high altitudes of the sun, the sextant with 

 artificial horizon could not be used unless one depended upon star 



