chap, i INTRODUCTORY 9 



The science and topography of the coast found no place 

 whatever in our plans. Zoologists, geologists, photographers, 

 and topographers — we were all pledged to one another to 

 subordinate every consideration to that of getting inland. 

 Our plans found approval at the hands of the Council of the 

 Royal Geographical Society, which voted us a handsome 

 subsidy, whilst the Royal Society placed a sum of money at 

 my disposal from the Government grant to enable me to 

 invite Dr. J. \V. Gregory of the British Museum to join our 

 party, and the Trustees of that great national institution 

 gave him special leave of absence. How valuable was the 

 companionship of the author of the " Great Rift Valley of 

 Africa," how useful was his experience, how helpful his 

 energy, readers of that fascinating description of a most 

 plucky and fruitful journey will readily appreciate. Mr. A. 

 Trevor-Battye, author of " Ice-bound on Kolguev," was 

 likewise good enough to share our fortunes. He came as 

 zoologist, intending to pay special attention to the fauna of 

 the interior. Unluckily there was little for him to observe, 

 for the birds chiefly frequent the coasts. Whilst we were 

 busy inland he was able, by using the walrus-boat, to visit 

 the little-known North Fjord and Dickson's Bay, where his 

 work was compensation for the otherwise serious loss of 

 time entailed upon us by lack of a boat. 



Mr. E. J. Garwood likewise joined the party, and thereby 

 contributed a most important addition to our strength. He 

 came as geologist, photographer, and expert mountaineer, 

 and in all these functions did admirable work. As a climber 

 he had won a first-rate reputation amongst the elite of the 

 present generation, having accomplished numerous expedi- 

 tions of the first order of difficulty, and being accustomed 

 to dispense with professional assistance. He proved himself 

 a quick and accurate geological observer, and an excellent 

 traveller, full of energy, helpfulness, and kindness. To him 



