OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 105 



" 2. By the milder temperature at extreme latitudes inferred from 

 the character of the isothermals where best determined, which, pur- 

 sued by analogy to unvisited latitudes, give the same temperature to 

 the high latitude of '90° as to the Arctic Circle. 



" 3. By the migrations of human life, the traditions of the Esqui- 

 majix pointing to the North as the cradle of their race. If the fact is 

 estabhshed that races deteriorate as they remove from the parallel of 

 their nativity, then the tradition of the degenerate Esquimaux is con- 

 firmed by their own degeneracy. 



" 4. By the temperature of the Arctic waters, which was observed 

 by William Morton and recorded by Kane as at 36° Fahr. in June, 

 1854, or two degrees above the temperature of the air at the same 

 time ; the water flowing from the north, and no ice_in sight. Whether 

 this water is frozen in winter is not, however, known. 



" 5. By the rise of the temperature in winter when the north-wind 

 sets in, which is also damp ; as observed by Baron von Wrangel and 

 Sir Edward Pai-ry. The cause of this elevated temperature in the 

 Arctic waters, Dr. Hayes thinks, may be found in the influence of the 

 Gulf Stream, flowing northward as an under-current to equalize the 

 effects of the superficial flow southward. This direction in the flow of 

 the deep water is inferred from the drift of the deeply-laden icebergs 

 northward, while the lighter ones move southward. Moreover, what 

 compensation for astronomical exposure may not the drainage of five 

 millions of square miles from the northern water-sheds of Europe, Asia, 

 and America introduce into the temperature of the great Arctic basin ? 



" If these mild waters, embosomed for centuries in a zone of ice, are 

 to be reached by civilized man. Dr. Hayes thinks that the best invita- 

 tion to success comes, not from a purely nautical expedition along the 

 easterly coast of Greenland, but from more westerly meridians, to be 

 traversed by boats and sledges. 



" The committee do not feel called upon to examine singly or collec- 

 tively the force of these various arguments in favor of an open polar 

 sea. It is certain, however, that human curiosity will not be satisfied 

 until the mystery on this subject is cleared up by new expeditions. 

 To postpone these expeditions to another generation, when much of 

 the personal experience already gained will have been forgotten, and 

 when the services of those best qualified to conduct them can no longer 

 be commanded, would not be a wise economy. 



VOL. IV. 14 



