Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

70 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTiseasily broken, but because a cover helps to excludedust and moisture. The least moisture under theglass will cause the needle to stick(if dampness getsinside anyway, dry the compass by a gentle heat: toomuch heat will destroy the magnetism). And thereis another reason: the friction of one's pocket on theglass of a compass may magnetize it and attract theneedle (touching the glass with a wet finger willremedy this).You may have a pocket compass of surveyor's pattern,such as the common military compass in asquare wooden box, used in our army. Observethat on a surveyor's compass the E and W marksare transposed, and don't let this fool you in thefield.In using a compass look out for local attraction.Put your gun or axe aside; a knife, or belt buckle,or other piece of metal may deflect the needle. Ifthere is anything in your equipment that might dothis, test the instrument first on the ground a paceaway, and then in your hand. The compass shouldnot be kept near iron, even when not in use, as theneedle is likely to be demagnetized.A compass needle may be demagnetized whentraveling in an electric car if carried in a valise orknapsack and set down on the floor over a powerfulmotor, if the needle is clamped, as it should be whennot in use. To strengthen the magnetism of a compassneedle, unclamp it and lay the instrument neara motor or generator or strong magnet; then, whenit has stopped quivering, clamp it again and leaveit under the influence of the magnetic current fora short time.A compass may become bewitchedby a body ofore that you may be passing over, but such experiencesare rare.If you suspect something of thesort, carry the instrument away, it need not be far,and test again. You are far more likely to be bewitchedyourself.The Compass in Camp.—No compass can tell