1896. THE ARCTIC WORK OF 1896. 237 



"Jeannette" relics was more weighty. It is true that these may 

 be genuine without proving the truth of Nansen's theory ; for the 

 Norwegian ice-pilots claim that the relics must have drifted west- 

 ward, parallel to the Siberian coast, and been carried by the Polar 

 Current, round the southern end of Spitzbergen, into the Atlantic, 

 and thence across to Greenland. There are many facts which show 

 that this route is possible. But the alternative routes are now of 

 little importance, as Dr. W. H. Dall^ has adduced weighty reasons 

 for the conclusion that the supposed discovery of the " Jeannette " 

 reUcs was a hoax ; these relics have played such an important part 

 in recent Arctic discussions, that his paper must rank as not one of 

 the least important contributions to the Arctic work of the year. 



Nansen's return with the " Windward " has directed prominent 

 attention to the work of the Jackson-Harmsworth Expedition in Franz 

 Josef Land, whose geographical task has been considerably restricted 

 by Nansen's revelation of the area to the north. So far as a possible 

 approach to the Pole is concerned, Jackson is handicapped by the 

 nature of his base of departure. The country was chosen on the 

 idea that it offered the only line of approach which had not been 

 proved impossible. Nansen now tells us that he regards it as a good 

 place in which to come out of the Polar pack, but as one of the worst 

 places from which to enter it. It seems therefore doubtful whether 

 the members of the expedition are likely to beat their record of 1895, 

 which this year they were unable to equal. But this limitation of 

 their sphere of operations does not in any way mean that the 

 expedition will not be successful. The opportunities for a full year's 

 meteorological record north of 75° occur very seldom : now, thanks 

 to the generosity of Mr. Harmsworth, there will be available a 

 complete three or more years' two-hourly record for a locality at 80°. 

 Such a contribution to science is of inestimable value. 



The two previous maps of Franz Josef Land, those of Payer and 

 Leigh Smith, are necessarily very incomplete. During Payer's daring 

 sledge excursion in June, 1874, by which the islands were first reached, 

 the opportunities for mapping were very limited. Hence, it is not 

 surprising that there are many alterations to be made in those portions 

 of Payer's map which were inserted on the strength of occasional 

 distant views in bad weather. Payer's reputation as a scientific 

 geographer is well estabhshed ; and when Jackson's map appears and 

 we are able to compare it with Payer's hasty sketch, we shall 

 probably feel regret for the Austrian traveller's Hmited opportunities, 

 and respect for his courage, rather than surprise at his errors. 

 Fortunately, we may now expect from Mr. Jackson a detailed map of 

 the archipelago, and from his colleagues, Messrs. Fisher and Child, a 

 reliable account of its geology, botany, and zoology. A complete 

 monograph on Franz Josef Land will well repay Mr. Harmswoith'd 



1 "On the supposed 'Jeannette' relics." Nat. Geogr. Journal, vol. vii., pp. 

 93-98. 



