THE RENEWAL OF ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION. 



369 



Anhuiils (excliidhiff the Protozoa) ohfaiitcd in the trawl and dredge by the Challciiyer expe- 

 dition toicards the Antarctic rc(jions in depths greater than 1, WO fathoms. 



■ One hundred and sixty -two new species and 30 new genera were not obtained outside this Ant- 

 arctic are.a during the cruise. 



It is most probable, indeed ahiiost certain, that the floor of the ocean, 

 as well as all pelagic waters, have been peopled from the shallow waters 

 surrounding continental land; and herein the deep waters of the Ant- 

 arctic we appear to have Aery clear indications of the existence of the 

 descendants of animals that once inhabited the shallow water along- 

 the shores of Antarctica, while in other regions of the ocean the descend- 

 ants oftlie shallow water organisms of the nortlieru continents prevail. 

 This is a subject of great interest to all biologists, and can best be 

 studied by a more efficient exploration of these southern latitudes. 



This rapid review of the present state of our knowledge concerning 

 the Antarctic should, if in any way successful, have at the same time 

 furnished di.stinct indications as to the great extent of our ignorance 

 concerning all that obtains within the South Polar regions. It should 

 likewise have enabled you to appreciate the great advantages which 

 would flow from successful exploration in the immediate future. 



Within the past few months I have been in communication with 

 geographers and scientific men in many x^iirts of the world, and among' 

 them there is complete unanimity as to the desirability, nay, necessity, 

 for South Polar exploration, and wonder is expressed that an expedition 

 has not long since been fitted out to undertake investigations which, it 

 is admitted on all sides, would be of the greatest value in the progress 

 of so many branches of natural knowledge. Prof. Neumayer, who has 

 so long advocated South Polar exploration, says: "It is certain that 

 without an examination and ii survey of the magnetic properties of the 

 Antarctic regions, it is utterly hopeless to strive, with prospects of. suc- 

 cess, at the advancement of the theory of the earth's magnetism." 

 Other eminent geographers and scientific men urge the advantages 

 which would accrue to other branches of science.* 



* Prof. Alesautler Agadsiz -writes : ''I wisli you tliL- Ucst success with your jiro- 

 posed Antarctic expedition. What you piojiose doing is tlic liglit thing to do, and 

 the results ought to be most interesting, judging from the little we know of the few 

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