THE RENEWAL OF ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION. 371 



and on land; to observe the temperature of the ocean at all depths and 

 seasons of the year; to take pendulum observations on land, and possi- 

 bly also to make gravity observations at great depths in the ocean; to 

 bore through the deposits on the Hoor of the ocean at certain points to 

 ascertain the condition of the deeper layers;* to sound, trawl, and 

 dredge, and study the character and distribution of marine organisms. 

 All this should be the work of a modern Antarctic expedition. Fo ■ 

 the more definite determination of the distril)ution of land and wat*^r 

 on our planet; for the solution of many problems concerning the ice 

 age; for the better determination of the internal constitution and 

 sui»erticial form of the earth; for a moie comjtlete kmnvledge of the 

 laws which govern the motions of the atmosphere and hydrosphere; for 

 more trustworthy indications as to the origin of terrestrial and marine 

 l>lants and animals, all these observations are earnestly denumded by 

 the science of our day. 



How then, and by whom, is this great work to be undertaken'? I 

 can never forget my sensations when once in the Arctic 1 was for several 

 hours lost in a small boat m a fog, and at one time there seemed little 

 chance that I would ever regain the ship. iSTor again can I forget one 

 night inthe Antarctic when, with much anxiety, Capt. Nares,his ofBcers, 

 and men, pilote<l the CJudlciu/cr during a gale through blinding snow, 

 ice, icebergs, darkness, and an angry sea. The remembrance of these 

 experiences makes one almost fear to encourage good and brave men 

 to penetrate these forbidden regions. But it is not all gloom and 

 depression beyond the Polar circles. Sunshine and lively hope soon 

 return. 



A few months ago I bade good bye to Nansen and said, I expected 

 within two years to welcome him on his return from the Arctic; but I 

 expressed some doubt if 1 should again see the Frum. "I think you 

 are wrong," was the reply ; " I believe you will welcome me on this very 

 deck, and, after my return from the Arctic, I will go to the South Pole, 

 and then my life's work will be liuished." This is a sjiirit we must all 

 admire. We feel it deserves, and is most likely to command, success. 

 All honor to those who venture into the far north or tar south with 

 slender resources and bring back with them a burden of new observa- 

 tions. 



A dash at the South Pole is not however what 1 now advocate, nor 

 do I believe that is what British science, at the present time, desires. 

 It demands rather a steady, continuous, laborious, and systematic 

 exploration of the whole southern region with all the ai)pliances of the 

 modern investigator. 



This exploration should be undertaken by the Koyal Navy. Two 

 shi[)S, not exceeding 1,000 tons, should, it seems to me, be fitted out 



* It is belie\ed that gravity determinations might be made, as well as the deposits 

 hored into by specially constructed instruments let down to the bottom from the 

 ships. 



