VICTORIA LAND 3-17 



Although Mr. Ferrar has dealt with the general disposition 

 of the mountain ranges and the more recent volcanic outbursts 

 on the coast of Victoria Land, a word might be added in 

 speculating on the distribution of land beyond the limits of our 

 discoveries. I recall once more that in our most southerly 

 position we saw the high mountainous coastline running in a 

 S.S.E. direction. If such a line be carried for a hundred 

 miles beyond our position, it will be seen to be making directly 

 towards Graham Land, and I cannot but think that it continues 

 to do so. If so, the geographical pole would be situated 200 

 miles or more from it, and on the high ice -plateau which must 

 continue behind, if we are to allow for the comparatively rapid 

 movement of the Barrier. The alternative theory held by some 

 is that this coast sweeps round and joins King Edward's Land ; 

 if so, the turn, as I have pointed out, must be made a very 

 long way south. Unfortunately, our knowledge of King 

 Edward's Land is very limited. Judged by the outline of the 

 hills and the blackness of the rocks, it appeared to be of the 

 same comparatively recent volcanic formation as the land in 

 the vicinity of our winter quarters, and if this is so, there would 

 be little to prove a connection with Victoria Land ; but, on 

 the other hand, pieces of granite were brought up with the lead 

 from the shallow water in its vicinity, and this would seem to 

 show that it is continental. I have already described our view 

 of King Edward's Land, and it will be remembered that we saw 

 nothing of the wild rugged mountain scenery of Victoria Land. 

 In all such remarks as I have made concerning the exten- 

 sion of Victoria Land to the south, and the limits of the 

 Barrier ice-sheet, there is one factor which must be acknow- 

 ledged to be extremely confusing. I can think of no reason to 

 account for the comparatively rapid motion of the ice-sheet ; 

 it is certain that there must be a supply of ice from some 

 region to the south, and it would seem that in this region there 

 is a heavier precipitation than that which we experienced in 

 the vicinity of the ship, but it is most difficult to reconcile 

 these facts with the general conditions of glaciation which came 

 under our observation. 



