The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-12

physical problem on his hand, with a
view to finding some tangible clue to a
solution of his special difficulties. From
such a purely experimental standpoint
observations in magnetic variation were
made in this country during the last
eclipse by students of terrestrial magnet
ism stationed at intervals along the path
of the shadow. The results of the obser-
walton at that time have been analysed
by Mr.. l.. A. Bauer, in charge of the
magnetic work Of the United States
Coast and Geodetic Survey, who has ar
rived at the conclusion that the apparent
magnetic variation, as shown in the dip
and declination Of magnetic needle
hung from silk threads, was not without
distinct scientific significance. While Mr.
Bauer does not as yet present working
theory, he is compelled to believe that
the oscillation observed during the eclipse
was not accidentally connected with it,
but was indeed brought about by some
change which took place In the upper re-
giOns of the atmosphere, by the with
drawal therefrom of the suns rays; and
has made arrangements for careful OBJ
servation all over the world during the
eclipse next Friday. AS the. institute
party made magnetic observations dur
ing the eclipse, so It will undertake the
same work this year in Sumatra, and
at the same time similar observations
VIII NC HiduC at IFS SSOucIlC observatory
in the MiddleseX FEELS near Boston.
Another interesting piece of work which
this party will carry out at Sumatra,
though not directly connected with the
eclipse, will consist of measurements Of
the force OF gravity by means of the
| pendulum apparatus which has been lent
| by the coast and geodetic survey. Pend
ulum observations Of this kind, however,
have been made at many points, both in
! the United States and in Europe. In a
! recent expedition to Greenland and Lab
| rador, for example, Prof. Burton made
lumber of observations of this char
acter, and he hopes by similar observa-
| tons in Sumatra to introduce connect
| ing link in the calculations already made
In preparing the present expedition, the
institute has had the cooperation of the
| Harvard observatory, drought it's d.
rector, Prof. E. c. Pickering. Photo
graphic lenses and other instruments
have. been lent to Prof Burton for the
| Sumatra work. and the plans Of a new
| form of synchronized driving clock, the
| joint invention of Prof Pickering and
Mr.. w. P. Gerrish, of Harvard, have been
| placed at his disposal, so that he will be
able to equip his instruments with this
| device. which Is, briefly an electric mo-
| tor governed by a pendulum. The inven-
| ton was first used for the new 1S5-foot
| horizontal telescope, now in use in ia
! maica, and gives a continuous movement
with perfectly times intermittent sig
nal, so that the telescope or camera to
which it is attached moves in perfect uni
| son with it's object
With fair weather the results which
will be obtained may be look for with
very great interest Even should the
weather prove so unfavorable that the
| eclipse cannot be seen at all, the magnet
and pendulum observations will, in anv
case, prove of value, however great the
J personal disappointment of the members
of the party would be if anything less
than complete success, at the end of a
| journey of SO much difficulty and cost.
| were attached.