26 THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH POLE 



aside the greatest obstacle to the expeditions that 

 followed. The Southern Cross returned to civilization 

 in March, 1900. 



The Valdivias expedition, under Professor Chun, of 

 Leipzig, must be mentioned, though in our day it can 

 hardly be regarded as an Antarctic expedition. On 

 this voyage the position of Bouvet Island was established 

 once for all as lat. 54 26' S., long. 3 24' E. 



The ice was followed from long. 8 E. to 58 E., as 

 closely as the vessel could venture to approach. Abun- 

 dance of oceanographical material was brought home. 



Antarctic exploration now shoots rapidly ahead, and 

 the twentieth century opens with the splendidly equipped 

 British and German expeditions in the Discovery and 

 the Gauss, both national undertakings. 



Captain Robert F. Scott was given command of the 

 Discovery's expedition, and it could not have been placed 

 in better hands. 



The second in command was Lieutenant Armitage, 

 who had taken part in the Jackson-Harmsworth North 

 Polar expedition. 



The other officers were Royds, Barne, and Shackleton. 



Lieutenant Skelton was chief engineer and photo- 

 grapher to the expedition. Two surgeons were on 

 board Dr. Koettlitz, a former member of the Jackson- 

 Harmsworth expedition, and Dr. Wilson. The latter was 

 also the artistof the expedition. Bernacchi was the physi- 

 cist, Hodgson the biologist, and Ferrar the geologist. 



