16 
SUPPLEMENT. 
variation of tKe needle . This variation, however, is no other 
thing than a certain part or portion of a circle contained be¬ 
tween two straight lines, proceeding both from one centre, 
which may be imagined to be the centre of the needle, and from 
thence both extending and going directly forth, one to the pole 
or axletree of the world, and the other to the point respective; 
and this part of a circle contained betwixt these two lines is said 
to be variation. 
“ And further, it is here to be noted, that always these two 
lines have two right lines cutting them directly in the centre of 
the needle ; the one of them crossing the meridian at right 
angles in the centre of the needle, is the true east and west of 
the world ; and the other crossing the line respective at right 
angles, is the false east and west that the varying needle or 
compass showeth. 
“ This variation is judged by divers travellers to be in equal 
proportion, but herein they are much deceived, and therefore it 
appeareth, that, notwithstanding this travel, they have more 
followed books than experience in that matter. The variation is 
said to be proportional or uniform, when in the increasing or de¬ 
creasing of a degree of variation is found no certain number of 
leagues or miles going, increasing or decreasing in one parallel 
or latitude by like equal proportion, and that if the variation be 
doubled, going by one parallel, so shall the leagues or miles 
also. But this is not found to be the case. 
“ For in going from Seilly to Newfoundland, which is not 600 
leagues, it is found that the needle doth vary more in 200 leagues 
when you come near that country, than it doth in 400 leagues 
of your first way. And also in going to Newfoundland, it vari* 
eth more in one-third part of the last of the way, than in two- 
thirds of the first, and in those parts it is found to be sudden,. 
Further, it is found, between the North Cape and Waigatz, very 
strange in recoiling and coming back again to the westward of 
the pole, before it hath fully accomplished two points of varia¬ 
tion in the compass; so that at Waigatz it varieth to the west¬ 
ward, as it doth in Newfoundland ; and the coming back again 
before it hath aceomufished four ooints of the compass, is very 
