Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/204

126 observations in those latitudes, where the continual presence of the sun would prevent the detection of the aurora. Although, unfortunately, we had no opportunity of making any corresponding observations in high southern latitudes, those additional hours of labour to Lieutenant Kay's party have not been in vain, for by the ready zeal evinced by Mr. Caldcott, the superintendent of the magnetic observatory at Trevandrum, simultaneous observations were made at that place, and their comparison will, I have no doubt, afford very valuable results.

In addition to the magnetometric and meteorological instruments, some others were supplied to Lieut. Kay for astronomical purposes; and before we left Hobart-town arrangements were made for the erection of a more suitable and comfortable building for the party to reside in, and at a convenient distance from the observatory. The observatory was named Rossbank by His Excellency Sir John Franklin. It is in lat. 42° 52′ 27.4″, long. 147° 27′ 30″; and is situated one hundred and five feet above the level of the sea at mean tide. The mean magnetic dip, 70° 40′ S. and the variation (in May, 1841), 10° 24′ 24″ E.

As the proper season for our southern voyage drew near, the ships were made ready for sea. All defects had been repaired, and when we bent sails we had the great happiness to feel assured that our ships and crew were even more effective than the day we sailed from England. We had to lament the loss of one of our best men, Edward Bradley,