266 SECOND JOURNEY TO THE 



In the course of experiments made with 

 the magnetic needle, Captain Franklin comes 

 to the conclusion, that the deviation of the 

 needle is affected by changes in the weather ; 

 in a gale of wind or a snow storm, always 

 considerably so ; but remains stationary 

 during their continuance. He observes, 



" During this month I noticed that on 

 several occasions the magnetic needle oscil- 

 lated when I approached it in a dress of 

 water-proof cloth, although it remained sta- 

 tionary when others of the party examined 

 it in their ordinary garments. The water- 

 proof dress probably acted by exciting elec- 

 tricity in the body, although this opinion is 

 rather contradicted by the fact of a fur cap, 

 which had been rubbed by the hand until it 

 affected the gold-leaf electrometer, pro- 

 ducing no change in the needle, and my 

 approach to the electrometer not causing 

 the gold-leaf to expand." 



The numerous observations made by Cap- 

 tain Franklin and his party, during two long 

 winters, as to the influence which the aurora 

 borealis exerts on the direction of the mag- 



