Trans. N. Y. Ac. Set. 48 Nov. 28, 



After arrival at the Pole, advantage will be taken of a favorable w^ind 

 to return to St. Patrick's Bay, or, possibly, to continue in one balloon 

 right on to some part of Russia, should it appear better to take that 

 course. Any loss of gas during the balloon trip, which may be found 

 to have occasioned a deficiency on arrival at the Pole, or during a 

 short stay there for scientific observations, may be remedied by the 

 abandonment of one balloon and the transference of its gas into the 

 other two, and, possibly, by the conveyance of a small supply of hydro- 

 gen in steel cylinders. 



Manv interesting arctic phenomena were discussed : e.g., the proofs 

 that the aurora borealis was not caused by atmospheric electricity but 

 by magnetism : the numerous parhelia and mock moons visible in 

 polar regions : the mode of formation of glaciers and icebergs, and the 

 curious shapes assumed by the latter. 



The coal of the mine at St. Patrick's Bay was described as equal to 

 the best Welsh, almost smokeless, and existing in very large quantities. 

 The present meagre flora of Greenland was compared with the rich 

 ancient flora, almost tropical in character, shown by the fossil plants 

 found in the Tertiary beds of the vicinity of Disco. More than fifty 

 species of trees and shrubs have been obtained from these deposits. 



In conclusion, the Lecturer spoke of the very probable success of the 

 proposed Anglo-American expedition now being organized by Lieut. 

 Schwatka and himself, and stated that the estimated expense, at a 

 minimum, is to be ^16,000, each country to provide half of this sum, 

 and all discoveries to be equally shared by the two nations. The Com- 

 mander laid great stress upon the good feeling existing between Amer- 

 ica and England, expressing the opinion that the organization of such 

 a joint expedition as proposed, especially if the two national flags were 

 to be planted side by side at the world's apex, would so materially 

 develop that feeling, that therein would be at once an answer to those 

 questioners who asked " cm bono ? What commercial return can we 

 expect for our expenditure for equipment?" Further utilitarian 

 achievements were then touched upon, as relating to the more thorough 

 study of the sea-bottom by soundings, and of the oceanic currents 

 within the Arctic circle, so that in time commerce will be enabled to 

 work out more definite highways for the passage of ships across the 

 ocean ; also to the development of knowledge in different branches of 

 science, in addition to the advantages that might accrue in opening up 

 and investigating such a vast unknown area. 



At the conclusion of the lecture, the audience expressed, by a show 

 of hands, its hearty interest in the subject, after the delightful mode 

 of its presentation and illustration by Commander Cheyne, and its re- 

 commendation of the matter to the careful consideration of the public. 



