INTRODUCTION. 21 



If the coast of East Greenland in 74^° is reached, or 

 any other point between 70° and 80° N.L., and it is 

 found (as in the course of things might be expected) that 

 there is open water, so, without more delay than is neces- 

 sary for observing and surveying the newly-discovered 

 land about 75° 14 N.L., to press forward to the north, and 

 to go as far along the coast as circumstances will allow. 



Sect. 9 pointed out as the chief task of the expedition, 

 the geographical one of penetrating into the still un- 

 known heart of the Arctic regions, and stated that every 

 other consideration was to give place to the solution of 

 this question. 



Sects. 10 and 11 enlarged upon the scientific work, and 

 the different course to be taken by the expedition in case 

 they should find open "sea in the region of the Polar circle. 



By Sect. 12, they were enjoined to winter at the most 

 northerly point they could reach — if possible at the North 

 Pole itself, but in any case it was hoped in not less 

 than 80° of lat. Of the remaining instructions, we must 

 draw attention to the Sects. 15, 16, 22, 24, 27, and 

 28. The two first-mentioned decided as follows : — The 

 return of the expedition was to be managed so that 

 both vessels should, at the latest, arrive at Bremer- 

 haven together about the 1st of November, 1870. If the 

 Hansa should be unable to keep up with the steamer 

 Germania, either on account of the ice or want of fair 

 wind, the steamer should without any delay proceed on 

 her course, leaving the Hansa to follow as soon as pos- 

 sible. In case of separation, the point each ship was to 

 make for was 74^° N.L. outside the floating ice, though 

 along the coast. By this Sabine Island was meant. 



Sect. 22 consisted of the special instructions drawn up 



