Introduction. 47 



the straight wide channels, where the ice is loose, that we 

 are really affected by its influence, and here the ice gets 

 naturally thinner, and more decayed in autumn, and less 

 dangerous to a ship. Within the inner circle probably 

 not much of the ice escapes ; it becomes older and 

 heavier every year, and in all probability completely 

 blocks the navigation of ships entirely. This is the kind 

 of ice which was brought to Nares' winter quarters at 

 the head of Smith Sound in about 82 30' north ; and 

 this is the ice which Markham struggled against in his 

 sledge journey, and against which no human power 

 could prevail." 



He attached "no real importance" to the Jeannette 

 relics. " If found in Greenland, they may well have 

 drifted down on a floe from the neighbourhood of Smith 

 Sound, from some of the American Expeditions which 

 went to Greely's rescue." "It may also well be that 

 some of De Long's printed or written documents in 

 regard to his equipment, may have been taken out by 

 these expeditions, and the same may apply to the other 

 articles." He does not, however, expressly say whether 

 there was any indication of such having been the case. 



In a similar letter to the Geographical Society the 

 renowned botanist, Sir Joseph Hooker says : " Dr. 

 Nansen's project is a wide departure from any hitherto 

 put in practice for the purpose of polar discovery, and 

 it demands the closest scrutiny both on this account, 

 and because it is one involving the greatest peril .... 



