2QO THE BORDERLAND OF SCIENCE. 



France, through D'TJrville ; and the United States, 

 through Wilkes, have sent expeditions to the South 

 Sea. They sighted and sailed along the icy barrier, 

 but none of them spent the winter, or essayed to travel 

 across and look beyond the first impediment. The 

 expeditions which have been sent to explore unknown 

 seas, have contributed largely to the stock of human 

 knowledge, and they have added renown to nations, 

 lustre to diadems. Navies are not all for war. Peace 

 has its conquests, science its glories ; and no navy can 

 boast of brighter honours than those which have been 

 gathered in the fields of geographical exploration or 

 physical research.' 



It does not appear that Antarctic voyages would be 

 attended with any excessive degree of danger. No 

 ship has hitherto been lost, we believe, in explorations 

 beyond the Antarctic circle. It may be said, indeed, 

 that such attempts are rather arduous than dangerous. 

 It may even be found that the Antarctic barriers are 

 impenetrable ; but this has certainly not as yet been 

 demonstrated. And it is far from being improbable 

 that, if success could be achieved, an important field 



observe the Transit of December 8, 1874, successfully in the Antarctic 

 regions, Possession Island should be occupied in January 1874 at the 

 latest, by a party provided with the means of wintering there (the winter 

 months being May, June, July, and August). Unless our Australian 

 cousins make the attempt, there is now, unfortunately, little hope of 

 this being done. Government, at least, could scarcely be moved in 

 time ; though even now immortal honours might be gained by any 

 who, having adequate means, should fit out a stout steam-ship for the 

 purpose. The instrumental means, and astronomers to use them, would 

 le forthcoming at once. 



