502 
istence ; and, if so, it was nearly certain that near them would 
be found buried copies of Sir John Franklin and Captain 
Crozier’s Journals, and of the scientific observations made be- 
fore the crews perished, which would prove of the highest 
scientific value. 
2nd. The loéality in which the Erebus and Terror lie is 
easily reached, is circumscribed within narrow limits, and is 
in the neighbourhood of the North Magnetic Pole, which is 
looked upon with such interest by scientific observers. The 
extent of coast-line already traversed by the Government 
searching expeditions is 6500 miles. There remain to be 
discovered only 370 miles. The total number of miles tra- 
versed by sledges in the former expeditions was 44,000 miles. 
An expedition consisting of 100 persons might be expected 
to traverse from 7000 to 10,000 miles, with sledges, m a 
single year. 
3rd. The rate of mortality for all the Arctic expeditions 
since 1818 (exclusive of the missing expedition) is under 
1} per cent. per annum, for which, and other reasons, 
Arctic service is extremely popular both with officers and 
men. 
4th. It is not necessary for the complete exploration of 
the area described (see chart) to penetrate so far as to risk the 
detention of the vessels by the ice. In the event of involun- 
tary detention, or accident to the ships, the crews can easily 
escape over the ice, with sledges and boats, either to the 
whalers, or to one of the three great depts of provisions stored 
up at Port Leopold, Beechey Island, and Melville Island. 
In this manner the crews of Sir Edward Belcher’s ships were 
withdrawn from their vessels, not of necessity, but in compli- 
ance with Admiralty orders; their crews being in good 
health, and another year’s provisions remaining. 
5th. Such danger to the ships of being crushed as exists, 
is annually encountered by the whalers ; and out of thirty ves- 
sels employed in the late searches, only one (Breadalbane) was 
