[ 145 ]
Received June 14,—Read June 15, 1843.
§ 8. Observations within the Antarctic Circle, made on Board Her Majesty's ShipsErebus and Terror, in the Summer of 1840 , 1841 , in the Expedition under thecommand of Captain James Clark Ross , R.N. ,
§ 9 . Observations between Kerguelen Island and Van Diemen Island, made on BoardHer Majesty's Ship Erebus, July and August 1840 .
§ 8 . Observations within the Antarctic Circle in the Summer of 1840 , 1841 .
In the present number of these Contributions, I have the pleasure of laying beforethe Royal Society the magnetic observations made by Captain James Clark Ross ,and the Expedition under his command, in the first of the three voyages in whichthese researches have been prosecuted within the Antarctic Circle ; and I gladly availmyself of the opportunity which the occasion affords, of congratulating the Societyon the successful completion of the labours and on the approaching return, of anExpedition, in which the Fellows individually, and as a body, have taken so strongan interest. A large portion of the observations contained in this number were madein southern latitudes never before reached by man; and nearly the whole in a partof the globe extremely difficult of access, but containing within itself a field forresearches peculiarly needed for completing and perfecting, in the words of Halley,“ the abstruse theory of terrestrial magnetism.”
In presenting to the Royal Society this portion of the results of an arduous enter-prise, undertaken at their recommendation, it appears no improper departure fromthe usual tone of these communications, to allude very briefly to the causes which,under Providence, have conduced to its safe and successful issue;—to the admirablepreparation and equipment of the vessels on the part of the Government,—to the highqualities of its Commander, manifested in conducting to its close, almost without anaccident, and to the fullest accomplishment of its objects, a service of such durationand peculiar hazard,—and to the excellent spirit in which the Commander has beenseconded by Captain Crozier, and supported by the officers and seamen who havebeen their worthy associates.
Viewed merely as an expedition of discovery, its voyages must ever rank high inthe annals of those maritime achievements of which our country is proud ; but as ascientific expedition, which is its more proper character, as well as that in whiph the