4 A. L. V. Manniche. 



Peary's expedition — Navy Cliff and the east coast of Peary Land. 

 Moreover to the greatest extent possible scientifically to examine the 

 climatic conditions of the country, its flora and fauna etc. 



It was thus of the greatest importance to advance as far north 

 as possible by ship, in order to form a favourable base for the 

 coming north-going sledge journeys. The expedition was in so far 

 fortunate. This particular summer the ice-hindrances were not too 

 great to permit the ship's seeking winter harbour as far north as 

 at Cape Bismarck — lat. 76°46' n. — in "Danmarks Havn". 



The arrival here took place on Aug. 17'^^ 1906. For about two 

 years the ship lay at anchor in Danmarks Havn which formed the 

 starting point for the sledge journeys of the expedition. For my 

 investigations which were necessarily bound mostly to the territory 

 in the neighbourhood of the ship's harbour, the point reached was 

 no less fortunate. I found here in the comparatively fertile, low 

 coast country a strongly concentrated higher animal life which was 

 surely richer than in any other tract visited by the expedition, with 

 regard to species as well as to individuals. All the year round I 

 had thus good opportunities, not only to make myself acquainted 

 with the biology of the animal forms in question, but also to gather 

 the zoological material necessary for working out the description 

 later on. 



An excellent supplement to my own systematic observations 

 was rendered me — as above indicated — through the numerous 

 sledge drives of the expedition. These journeys were undertaken 

 nearly at all seasons — also in the dark time — to different parts 

 of the coast country lying north of the ship's harbour. Also along 

 the coast southward to Shannon Island and Sabine Island sledge 

 drives were made several times, and in the spring 1908 examina- 

 tions were undertaken by two different travelling parties on the 

 inland ice and the large "nunataks", situated on the latter: "Dron- 

 ning Louises Land". 



From each journey I received zoological notes. In order to 

 promote systematical investigations I always directed the attention 

 of my travelling companions to the facts which eventually they 

 would have the opportunity of observing, indicating precisely the 

 informations which I might wish to obtain in the case in question. 

 In this way I at length succeeded in procuring a material at the 

 same time ample and reliable, to throw a light on the faunistic 

 conditions of the country. Moreover some interesting observations 

 of pure biological nature have come to hand by the same means. 

 I shall just mention the pairing and breeding time of the polar 

 bear, its means of support at different seasons etc. 



