In Observing The Variation Of The Magnetic Needle, We Found, As Usual, Our
Compasses Differ Among Themselves, Sometimes Near 2
Deg.; the same compass too,
would sometimes make nearly this difference in the variation on different
days, and even between
The morning and evening of the same day, when our
change of situation has been but very little. By the mean of the
observations which I made about Erromango; and the S.E. part of these
islands, the variation of the compass was 10 deg. 5' 48" E.; and the mean of
those made about Tierra del Espiritu Santo, gave 10 deg. 5' 30" E. This is
considerably more than Mr Wales found it to be at Tanna. I cannot say what
might occasion this difference in the variation observed at sea and on
shore, unless it be influenced by the land; for I must give the preference
to that found at sea, as it is agreeable to what we observed before we made
the islands, and after we left them.
[1] The word Survey is not here to be understood in its literal sense.
Surveying a place, according to my idea, is taking a geometrical plan
of it, in which every place is to have its true situation, which
cannot be done in a work of this nature.
[2] Mr G.F. says that the aspect of the southern shore of Sandwich
Island was very beautiful, and that its forests seemed more rich and
copious than had been observed to the northward.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 759 of 885
Words from 204894 to 205146
of 239428
