South Georgia Island of the subantarctic region, showing Lucas Glacier 



Terrestrial Life in Polar Environments 



By A. W. GREEL Y 



Major General in the United States Army, Retired 



VITAL and engrossing is the ti- 

 tanic struggle now shaking the 

 very foundations of civilization, 

 wherein is involved the survival of a 

 world-wide democracy, which is stunted 

 in growth and threatened with extermi- 

 nation by an environment of irrespon- 

 sible autocracy. Yet nature presents 

 often similar aspects to the scientist. 

 Somewhat akin to this ruthless war of 

 mankind is the never ending struggle 

 of various forms of life either to ex- 

 tend their own domination or to secure 

 the survival of their species. 



In the scheme of life zones outlined 

 by the distinguished American biolo- 

 gist, Dr. C. Hart Merriam, are clearly 

 set forth not only the interrelations of 

 moisture and temperature with the vari- 

 ous floras and faunas, but also the ab- 

 solute dependence of these for existence 

 on suitable conditions thereof. The 

 controlling influence of these factors in 

 plant life is evident to the most casual 

 of investigators. It therefore seems 

 probable that a nontechnical article on 

 this subject, although confined to the 

 polar zones, might prove of interest to 

 the readers of the American Museu]\i 

 Journal. 



While the views herein expressed 



naturally are tinged with opinions re- 

 sulting from personal experiences and 

 observations during three years of Arc- 

 tic service, they are dependent more 

 largely upon the studies and researches 

 of competent scientists along this or 

 parallel lines of polar phenomena. 



As is well known, certain extended 

 sections of land within the temperate 

 and tropical regions represent exceed- 

 ingly adverse conditions for the per- 

 petuation of animal, human, or plant 

 forms of life, yet such areas are so local 

 and limited as to be of almost negligible 

 importance. Within the Arctic and 

 x4ntarctic circles there are, however, 

 vast contiguous areas — aggregating 

 several millions of square miles in ex- 

 tent — where the polar environment is 

 so adverse that most, and indeed at cer- 

 tain points all forms of life find devel- 

 opment and perpetuation impossible. 

 The tragic and heroic story of Scott 

 and his companions discloses the inabil- 

 ity of man, even with perfected plans, 

 to survive on the ice-clad continent of 

 Antarctica. Thereon, indeed, are to be 

 found in the scantiest quantities the 

 lowest and hardiest species of life : 

 these survive only within the sphere of 

 the ameliorating influence of the ocean. 



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