Introduction. 37 



Polar bears and seals we may safely calculate on finding 

 far to the north, if not up to the very Pole. It may be 

 mentioned also that the sea must certainly contain 

 quantities of small animals that might serve as food in 

 case of necessity. 



"It will be seen that whatever difficulties may be 

 suggested as possible, they are not so great but that they 

 can be surmounted by means of a careful equipment, 

 a fortunate selection of the members of the expedition, 

 and judicious leadership ; so that good results may be 

 hoped for. We may reckon on getting out into the sea 

 between Greenland and Spitzbergen as surely as we can 

 reckon on getting into the Jcannctte current off the New 

 Siberian Islands. 



" But if this Jcannctte current does not pass right 

 across the Pole ? If, for instance, it passes between the 

 Pole and Franz Josef Land, as above intimated ? 

 What will the expedition do in that case to reach the 

 earth's axis ? Yes, this may seem to be the Achilles' 

 heel of the undertaking ; for should the ship be carried 

 past the Pole at more than one degree's distance, it may 

 then appear extremely imprudent and unsafe to abandon 

 it in mid-current and face such a long sledge-journey over 

 uneven sea-ice, which itself is drifting. Even if one 

 reached the Pole it would be very uncertain whether one 



could find the ship again on returning 



I am, however, of opinion that this is of small import : 

 // is not to seek for the exact mathematical point that forms 



