xxii INTRODUCTION 



In these days, however, when the railroad 

 passes right through the game preserves of 

 Central Africa, enabling one to shoot lions and 

 elephants without leaving the train, I advise 

 the disciples of St. Hubert to seek their sport in 

 tropical forests rather than in the ice-fields, 

 which are less easy of access. Polar hunting 

 is in reality only shooting practice ; it lacks 

 the emotions of a tramp through the forest and 

 the surprises of a forest hunt. An expedition 

 to the frozen seas with the sole object of hunting 

 would very soon degenerate into nothing more 

 than a useless massacre. 



Only sailors can enjoy these northern hunts ; 

 nevertheless, the numerous incidents which 

 result from the pursuit of game while a vessel 

 forces a way through the pack-ice towards 

 one of the Arctic lands, lends diversion to the 

 severities of scientific investigation, which is 

 the real object of the expedition. 



I have never embarked for Polar seas, which 

 possess an indescribable fascination for me, 

 without great heart burnings at the thought of 

 leaving behind, for an indefinite period, all those 

 who are near and dear to me, and who have 

 assisted me to endure the life of an exile. On 

 each occasion I have watched the approach 

 of the moment of departure with increasing 



