Inquiries concerning the Magnetism of the Earth. 
velope so many curious relations, and to throw so much light 
over the secrets of electricity, and the other chemical or mecha- 
nical powers of Nature, as to demand investigation, though it 
were but for its own sake. ‘‘ The mathematicians of Europe,” 
(says Mr Hansteen, with more truth than taste), since the 
times of Newton and Kepler, have all turned their eyes towards 
the heavens, to follow the planets in their minutest movements 
and mutual disturbances : it is to be wished, that now for a 
while they could cast a glance down into the centre of the 
earth, for there also wonders are to be seen. By the stifled 
voice of the magnetic needle, the earth proclaims the move- 
ments of her interior ; and could we rightly interpret the flam- 
ing page of the polar light, it would not be less instructive for 
us. The connection of meteorology with the aurora borealis, 
and, consequently, with the magnetic forces, is perfectly clear : 
the similarity between Humboldt’s isothermal lines and the lines 
of the same magnetic dip, is equally remarkable. Who has 
yet been able to explain the cold of Siberia, Greenland, or 
Terra del Fuego ? Who the strange variations of the polar 
climate, or Cook’s observations upon the different distances to 
which the solid ice extends from the south pole, in the Pacific 
and the A tlantie Ocean ? 
Perhaps a deeper study of the earth’s magnetic force would 
spread the requisite light over these dark matters. From the 
English expedition to the North Pole ; from the French and 
Russian circumnavigations of the globe under Freycinet and 
Kotzebue ; from the Asiatic travels of M. Humboldt, new and 
correct observations are soon to be looked for. If the Govern- 
ments of powerful nations would thus combine to direct the 
making of observations, and mathematicians to elaborate them ; 
then probably, in no great length of time, the hitherto inexpli- 
cable magnetic appearances of the earth, might be submitted to 
as sure a calculation as the movements of the heavenly bodies.” 
Without doubt, our knowledge of magnetism is yet very far 
from such a consummation ; and the intricacy of its laws, view- 
ed in connection with the small extent to which they have 
hitherto been examined, seems to consign the fulfilment of Mr 
Hansteen’s anticipations to a very distant epoch. In the mean 
time, however, the path to be followed is clear, and the prob- 
