RESULTS OF THE ENGLISH ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



415 



have been examined by Prof. Heer. He leports J 

 that remains of twenty-five species of plants of 

 the Miocene period were collected, including two 

 species of Equisetum, as many as ten conifers, a 

 Carex, and eight dicotyledons — namely, a poplar, 

 two species of birch, an elm, a Viburnum, two 

 Coryli, and a water-lily. Pinus abies, which oc- 

 curs here and in Spitzbergen, did not exist in Eu- 

 rope in Miocene times, but had its original home 

 in the extreme north, and thence extended south- 

 ward. One tree, Bctula Brongniarti, had not pre- 

 viously been found within the arctic zone. 



Prof. Heer says that this thick lignite bed in 

 82° north indicates the former existence of a 

 large peat-moss, probably containing a lake in 

 which water-lilies grew. On its muddy shores 

 stood the large reeds and sedges, the birches and 

 poplars, and some fir-trees. The drier spots and 

 neighboring chains of hills were probably occu- 

 pied by pines and firs, associated with elms and 

 hazel-bushes. A single elytron of a beetle is, at 

 present, the sole evidence of the existence of an- 

 imals in this forest region. 



The astonishing discovery of a rich fossil flora 

 so near the pole has given rise to much specula- 

 tion among geologists. Prof. Ramsay cannot be- 

 lieve that these trees could live through the long 

 night of an arctic winter, and flourish again the 

 following summer; and he has suggested that 

 there must have been a change in the direction 

 of the axis of the earth with respect to the sun's 

 light. Dr. Murie, on the other hand, thinks that 

 too much stress has been laid upon the influence 

 of the sun's light, and suggests that changes in 

 electrical conditions might have some influence 

 on the possibility of the existence of life at the 

 poles. Other authorities believe that it is not the 

 geographical position of the poles, but the cli- 

 matic conditions of the polar regions, which have 

 undergone a change. Be this how it may, the 

 discovery of a fossil flora so near the pole is a 

 most important result of the late expedition, and 

 one which, like all others, points to the desira- 

 bility of continuing and completing north-polar 

 researches. 



Scarcely less important are the zoological and 

 botanical results of the expedition. 



To begin with ethnology, the interesting in- 

 quiries with reference to the migrations of Esqui- 

 maux tribes, and their history, have had fresh 

 light thrown upon them. Traces of Esquimaux 

 encampments were found at intervals on the 

 western shores of the channels leading from 

 Smith Sound ; and under Cape Beechey, about 

 six miles south of the 82d parallel. Captain Feil- 



den, the indefatigable naturalist of the Alert, 

 came across the most northern traces of man 

 that have ever yet been found. They consisted 

 of the framework of a large, wooden sledge, a 

 stone lamp, and a very perfect snow-scraper made 

 of a walrus-tusk. The point where these relics 

 were found is at the narrowest part of Robeson 

 Channel, where it is only thirteen miles across. 

 This then was, probably, the point selected for 

 crossing, and the heavy sledge may have been 

 left behind, owing to the difficult and dangerous 

 nature of the ice to be encountered. Captain 

 Feilden conjectures that this spot marks the Ulti- 

 ma Thule of human advance. The tremendous 

 ice of the polar sea to the north, and the absence 

 of animal life, formed an impassable barrier. 

 Northward from this point no trace of men was 

 ever found. In connection with previous re- 

 searches, the ethnological results of the late ex- 

 pedition are of great interest and value. 



As regards the mammals, a large extent of 

 country was carefully worked by the naturalists, 

 zealously assisted by other officers, and no spe- 

 cies can have escaped their united observations. 

 Through their diligent research much new infor- 

 mation was obtained respecting the habits of 

 the arctic mammals. Close examination of the 

 haunts of white foxes brought to light numer- 

 ous caches, or stores of provisions. In one alone 

 there was a heap of over fifty dead lemmings, 

 concealed under a pile of stones; in another, 

 half of a hare, and wings of brent geese. It is 

 also very striking that the increased vegetation 

 induced by the presence of the foxes should be 

 the means of attracting and sustaining the lem- 

 mings in the immediate vicinity of the foxes' 

 dens. Captain Feilden also observed the habits 

 of the lemmings with very close attention, and 

 of the arctic hare ; and he has added consider- 

 ably to previous knowledge respecting the musk- 

 oxen, their habits and migrations. He was also 

 able to place in the hands of Dr. James Murie 

 specimens of the stomach and other organs, 

 which will give a further insight into the anatomy 

 of this interesting animal. With, if possible, 

 even closer attention, the birds of the far north 

 ware studied, for ornithology is the branch of 

 natural history to which Captain Feilden, the ac-' 

 complished naturalist of the Alert, has long de- 

 voted himself. The place of breeding for knots 

 and sanderlings was reached, and several young 

 birds were obtained. Twelve species of mam- 

 mals and twenty-four species of birds, fully de- 

 scribed, and their habits and migrations closely 

 and most carefully investigated, are the results 



