Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/254

232 northern magnetic poles of convergence and verticity, whether these poles are two different points, or one and the same; indeed, continued observations at such stations would go far to decide this question, highly important in a theoretical point of view. M. de Humboldt has mentioned Quebec as a desirable station. To this place, and also to Montreal, we conceive that an objection exists, of which possibly M. de Humboldt is not aware; many of the houses in those cities are roofed with tinned iron. This objection may not, however, exist in some of the establishments in the vicinity of either of these cities. We consider that the most advantageous positions would be, one near the most northerly establishments in Hudson's Bay, and another at or near to Fort Resolution on Great Slave Lake. As, however, observers in such positions would be placed almost beyond the pale of civilisation, we fear that, for some time at least, it would be found quite impracticable to obtain regular observations at these important stations. It would likewise be desirable that there should be a station in Nova Scotia or Newfoundland; the latter would be the preferable position.

If the government of the United States were to give their cordial co-operation to M. de Humboldt's plan, by the establishment of three or more permanent magnetical observatories, in different longitudes, these, with what we may expect to be undertaken by Russia in the extreme north-west, and our own establishments, would afford the means of obtaining a mass of more interesting magnetical observations than could perhaps be derived from any other portion of the earth's surface.

M. de Humboldt mentions New Holland, Ceylon, the Mauritius, the Cape of Good Hope, St. Helena, and a point on the east coast of South America, as desirable stations, and we fully concur in the propriety of the selection. Although Van Diemen's Land, from its greater proximity to the southern magnetic pole, would be a more advantageous position for magnetical observations than Paramatta, yet the circumstance alone of there being an astronomical observatory established at Paramatta, renders it peculiarly adapted for a magnetical station. Possibly circumstances may hereafter admit of magnetical observations being also made at Hobart Town, in conformity with the general plan which may be adopted.

The Island of Ascension, from its proximity to the magnetic equator, would possess peculiar advantages for a magnetical station; but these must, in a great degree, be counterbalanced by the nature of its soil, which, being wholly volcanic, would exert an influence on the needle that would render observations made there of a doubtful character; indeed, the same objection applies to St. Helena and most of the islands of the Atlantic. Some recent observations, those of Lieut. Allen, R. N., in the expedition up the Niger, would point to the