50 O. T. Sherman—Magnetic Observations in Davis Strait. 
our custom, as the ship swung with the tide, to observe the 
errors of the ship’s compass by reference to a fixed and distant 
mark. As yet, however, we have been unable to derive from 
them a series of values, which makes the ship’s constants 
at all comparable with the same values derived elsewhere ; 
whether from local attraction or magnetic storm, those who 
can refer to continued observation must determine. On August 
12th, the magnetometer gave a horizontal force of 1°9042. On 
August 14th, in thesame position as the declination of the 11th 
and 18th, 1:7559. On September Ist, at a station almost mid- 
ay, 18842. These values correspond in magnitude to the 
distances from one of the many gneiss knobs. Feeling uncer- 
tain, therefore, as to the extent to which the observations might 
be affected by local attraction, more especially as observations 
from stations in the Waigat corresponded but poorly with those 
at Disco, we determined, on our return, to endeavor to dis- 
sea shore. All lines form a loop in the direction of Crown 
Prince islands. We found no spot free from local influence. A 
stone was brought to me while here, which both Prof. Steen- 
strup and myself recognized at once as ‘Ovifak meteoric 
iron.” It was said to have been found in Wildfire bay. From 
what we now know, however, it seems more likely to have been 
brought by the natives from Ovifak. They keep a number of 
these stones on hand for purposes of trade. 
At Rittenbenk, lat. 69° 44’, long. 51° 2’ W., we found on 
August 23d, 1880, the dip to be 81° 58’-9, the total force 
12 6213, and the variation N. 70° 29 W., at 11" 30” local time. 
The Alert gives for this station a declination of 69° 8’°5 at 
640 p, M. The station is granitic and there may be local 
attraction. 
At Sakkak, lat. 70° 1’ N., long. 51° 55’ W., we found on 
rie 24th, the dip to be 81° 59’-6, variation N. 70° 47’°3, at 
5™ local time; and on August 81st, the horizontal force’ 
17904, This station is also probably affected by local attrac- 
tion. 
