104 Afr. Scoresby, jun. on the anomaly in the 
additional support from several observations which I have ex- 
cluded, because neither the sun, nor any other distant object, 
calculated for proving the accuracy of the observations and 
determining the clear effect of the “ local attraction,” was 
visible. 
9. A compass placed within six or eight feet of a capstern 
spindle, or anchor, or other large mass of wrought iron, fore- 
goes, in a great measure, the influence of the focus of attrac- 
tion, and submits to that of the nearer body of iron. 
The effect of this is various, according to the relative posi- 
tion of the compass and the iron. When the compass is placed 
directly ahajt the body of iron, the influence is similar to, but 
greater than, that of the focus of attraction on a compass 
placed near the stern, as described in inference No. 6. j^See 
Table of observations prefixed, No. 6 and y.J When placed 
directly before it, the anomaly is similar in quantity, but has 
its sign reversed; and when placed on either side of the mass 
of iron, the influence corresponds more nearly with that of 
the focus of attraction on a compass placed in the sides of the 
ship opposite to it, as described in inference No. 8. A com- 
pass placed upon the drum headoi the capstern, any where out 
of the centre, will have its north point so forcibly attracted 
by the upper end or south pole of the spindle, that the ship's 
head may be made to appear to be directed to any point what- 
ever, at the pleasure of the experimenter. I have sometimes 
excited the astonishment of my officers by taking the binnacle 
compass and so placing it on the capstern head, that the ship 
has appeared to be steering a course directly contrary to that 
intended. 
10. When the iron in a ship is pretty equally distributed 
