SUPPLEMENT 
29 
and to contribute to the advancement of science in general. In 
the department of magnetism, in particular, the numerous and 
accurate observations by their distinguished commanders, and 
those who accompanied them, have been eminently important. 
Those made to the north-west of the magnetic pole by Capt. 
Sabine, to the south-west by Capt. Franklin, and to the south¬ 
east and north-east by Capt. Parry, Mr. Fisher, and Capt. Fors¬ 
ter, have furnished materials that have enabled the British 
philosophers to point, with a wonderful degree of precision, to 
the seat of magnetic concentricity. 
In contemplating the equipment of the late expedition, a still 
nearer approach than had yet been attained to that mysterious 
spot was anticipated from the route that we purposed to pursue; 
but the smallness of the vessel in which we embarked, neces¬ 
sarily limited the number and magnitude of our magnetic instru¬ 
ments. A small dipping-needle by Jones, belonging to the Ad¬ 
miralty, was, together with a number of other instruments, 
liberally offered for our use; and having been made with much 
care by that celebrated artist, for the use of the party that tra¬ 
velled towards the north pole under Capt. Parry, and been 
found on that occasion to answer every purpose for which it 
was intended, we did not hesitate to consider it sufficiently 
large and accurate for this service. 
A description of the instrument accompanies the Table Of 
Observations made by Capt. Parry and Lieutenant Forster in 
the Appendix to the Narrative of that voyage (p. 168,) and renders 
any further remarks here unnecessary. It is, however, to be re¬ 
gretted, that prior to our departure from England we had no 
opportunity of making any observations with that instrument; 
and a defect in the verticle circle, which was not detected till the 
spring of the year 1831, has rendered it necessary to reject all 
the observations on the intensity of the magnetic force made 
previous to that period. 
The annexed Table contains most of the observations that were 
obtained on the dip of the magnetic needle during our late 
voyage in the Victory, and seems to require but little explana¬ 
tion. I have considered it proper to record the mean of the 
