314 CLIMATIC CONDITIOXS OF THE GLACIAL EPOCH. 



different Antarctic explorers. It is quite remarkable that the largest amount 

 of drift ice comes from that quarter where the Pole has been most nearly 

 approached without findhig any signs of land ; * while, on the other hand, 

 the ocean least encumbered by bergs and floes is that which lies north 

 of and in nearest proximity to the largest known mass of Antarctic 

 land.t 



Nearly all that is known of the glaciation of any part of the South Polar 

 land is derived from Sir J. C. Ross's narrative of his voyage along the shore 

 of Victoria Land and to the east lor a short distance. The line of coast 

 explored by this eminent navigator extends between the parallels of 70° and 

 78 , with a general north and south trend, and it rises precipitously in lofty 

 mountains, which appear to form one continuous range, although distinguished 

 by three names — the Admiralty Range, the Prince Albert Mountains, and 

 the Parry Mountains. Of the first-named of these Captain Ross says : " We 

 had a most enchanting view of the two ranges of mountains, whose lofty 

 peaks, perfectly covered with eternal snow, rose to elevations varying from 

 seven to ten thousand feet above the level of the ocean. The glaciers that 

 filled their intervening valleys, and which descended from near the mountain 

 summits, projected in uuuiy places several miles into the sea, and terminated 

 in lofty perpendicular cliffs. In a few places the rocks broke through their 

 icy covering, by which alone we could be assured that land formed the 

 nucleus of this, to appearance, enormous iceberg."^ 



In farther illustration of the glacial and topographical features of Victoria 

 Land the following quotations may be made. 



"At noon [January 15, 1841] we were in lat. 71° oG' S., Possession Island 



bearing true west of us distant seven or eight miles Whilst measuring 



some angles for the survey, an island I had not before noticed appeared, 

 which I was quite sure was not to be seen two or three hours previously. It 

 was above one hundred feet high, and nearly the whole of the summit and 

 eastern side perfectly free from snow. I was much surprised at the circum- 

 stance, and on calling the attention of some of the officers to it, one of them 



* Weddell saileil south to latitude 74° 15', in longitude 34° 16' W., or more than thirty degrees south of the 

 northern limit of drift ice in this part of the ocean, and found an open sea and pleasant weather, a mild wind 

 hlowing fiom the south. Not being engaged in scientific exploration, he found himself unable to follow up the 

 chance thus oH'ered for penetrating far to the south. 



t Wilkes Land and Victoria Land, which may, veiy possibly, be united into one mass. 



+ A Voyage of Discoveiy and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions, during the Years 1839-1843. 

 By Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R. N. 2 vols. London, 1847. Vol. L p. 185. 



