510 THE PROGRESS OF MARITIME DISCOVERY. 
vated 12,000 feet above the level of the sea, combined, with the 
snow-white mountain-chain and the deep blue ocean, to form a 
scene, the magnificence of which seemed to be enhanced by the 
reflection that no human eye had ever witnessed its beauty, as 
most likely none will ever witness it again. Asall the efforts of 
the gallant leader to penetrate still farther to the south were 
baffled by a mighty ice-barrier, forming an uninterrupted mural 
precipice for the length of several hundred miles, he yielded to 
the invincible obstacles of nature, and returned to more genial 
climes. It is worthy of notice, that Sir James Clark Ross had 
accompanied Parry on his sledge-expedition to the North Pole, 
and thus acquired the unique distinction of having approached 
both poles nearer than any other man. 
Whether the lands discovered by Wilkes, D’Urville, Biscoe, 
Balleny, and Ross form a continuous continent, or belong to a 
large group of islands behind which an open sea extends to the 
very Pole, is a question which most likely will never be solved, 
as its determination can never be of the least use to mankind. 
The numerous scientific voyages of circumnavigation achieved 
during the course of the present century are far more important, 
with regard to the welfare and progress of humanity, than the 
researches which have heen made in the icy wildernesses of the 
north and south. New lands and isles of great extent have indeed 
not been discovered by these expeditions, but they have contri- 
buted not less largely to the advancement of geography and the 
natural sciences. 
The wonders of oceanic life have first been shown in a more 
distinct light by the labours of Chamisso, Meyen, Lesson, Darwin, 
Gray, Hooker, Robinson, Dana, &c., who accompanied Kotzebue, 
Freycinet, Fitzroy, Ross, &c., on their world-encircling course ; 
and numerous coasts and groups of islands, situated in the 
remotest seas, and formerly only superficially known, have been 
accurately measured and traced on the map by the distinguished 
hydrographers who took part in those far-famed voyages. 
