On the 6th of November, I was in 49 degrees 4 minutes south
latitude, and in the longitude of 114 degrees 56 minutes; the
variation was at this time 26 degrees westward; and, as the weather
was foggy, with hard gales, and a rolling sea from the south-west
and from the south, I concluded from thence that it was not at all
probable there should be any land between those two points. On
November 15th I was in the latitude of 44 degrees 33 minutes south,
and in the longitude of 140 degrees 32 minutes. The variation was
then 18 degrees 30 minutes west, which variation decreased every
day, in such a manner, that, on the 21st of the same month, being in
the longitude of 158 degrees, I observed the variation to be no more
than 4 degrees. On the 22nd of that month, the needle was in
continual agitation, without resting in any of the eight points;
which led me to conjecture that we were near some mine of loadstone.
This may, at first sight, seem to contradict what has been before
laid down, as to the variation, and the causes of it: but, when
strictly considered, they will be found to agree very well; for when
it is asserted that veins of loadstone have nothing to do with the
variation of the compass, it is to be understood of the constant
variation of a few degrees to the east, or to the west:
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