PEEFACE. 



J. he aim of this Report, the first volume of which now appears, is to 

 give, in a series of separate Memoirs, a complete account of the Scientific 

 Results of the Norwegian North Polar Expedition of 18931896. 



The expedition was rendered possible by the united support of 



HIS MAJESTY KING OSCAR, THE NORWEGIAN STORTING, 



and a series of contributors, amongst whom may be mentioned the three 

 men, Messrs. THOMAS FEARNLEY, AXEL HEIBERG and ELLEF RING- 

 NES, who formed the Committee of the Expedition, bore the burden of arrang- 

 ing its pecuniary affairs, and assisted with so much valuable work; and 

 further, Mr. C. J. A. DICK, Baron OSCAR DICKSON, Consul WESTYE 

 EGEBERG, Mr. ANTON CHR. HOUEN, Mr. A. S. KJOSTERUD, Consul 

 NICOLAY H. KNUDTZON, Minister of State C. LCVENSKIOLD, Mr. AMUND 

 RINGNES, the firm HALVOR SCHOU, Mr. C. SUNDT, Baron HARALD 

 WEDEL-JARLSBERG, the ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 

 and others. 



I do not know how to express in words the gratitude which my com- 

 panions and I feel for the interest and confidence placed in our undertaking 

 and ourselves before we started, and for the many signs of sympathy shown 

 us after our return. I trust that the results published in these volumes will 



