188 



KNOWLEDGE 



[Mapx-u C, 1885. 



greater advantage can these qualities be exercised than in 

 avoidance of dtnse pack ice. A ship should maintain 

 iilmost constant motion, and only moor when absolutely 

 necessary, and then ouly to an iceberg. Careful obier- 

 vatioES of the currents, and of the ebb and flow of the 

 tide are of the greatest iniportHnce. Marked movements 

 of the ice are most liable to occur after the turn of the 

 tide, and the jirobable effect of such changes must be fore- 

 seen and discounted. It was mainly by increasing watch- 

 fulness of winds, currents, and tides, and by sound judg- 

 n eut regarding their effects, that Sir George Nares 

 succeeded in working his vessrl from Caie Sabine to the 

 Polar 0-:ean and back duiing two unfavourable ice seasons. 

 It was from similar observations that I was enabled, during 

 the retreat of 1883, in a like unfavourable year, and on the 

 same coast, to bring my loat-i in safety from Discovery 

 Harbour to Cape Hawks. 



The expedition should receive its final supplies from 

 Tromfoe, and should not leave that port before the latter 

 part of July. August and September there, as in Smith 

 Sound, are undoubtedly the most favourable months for ice 

 navigation. In case of a bad year for ice the vessels should 

 rather return, to renew the exfcdition the year foUowiug, 

 than adventure the experiences of the Tegetthof. The 

 question whether dogs or nif n should be employed in haul- 

 ing is debatable among Arctic men. I unhesitatingly 

 assert that with dogs nearly double the distance can be 

 made that is possible with men. Shelter, fuel, drink, 

 sleeping-gear and extra clothing, which form so large a 

 proportion of constant weight, are not needed for dogs. 

 Lockwood's great northing was made by a combination, the 

 supporting sledges being drawn by men, the advance sledge 

 by dogs. He travelled far enough in ninety days the first 

 spring, after the sun's return, with his single team of seven 

 dogs, to have reached the Pole imd return had it been in a 

 straight line. In 1883, depending on dogs alone, he reached 

 the shores of the Polar Ocean in less than half the time 

 taken by men and dogs combined the previous year. 



The qualificatinn of the commander of an expedition 

 need not be dwelt on. ]Much and varied previous service 

 is indispensable ; but, in addition, he should be a man who 

 has carefully studied the plans and equipment of all his 

 predecessors in active work. He should not be above fivc- 

 and forty. Subordinate officers should be under thirty- 

 live, enterprising, fond of field service, and thoroughly 

 dependable — men who will work loyally and faithfully 

 under any and all circumstances and never give mere 

 passive obedience. Officers with varied talents and special 

 training should be selected. One should be a photographer. 

 The men should be as far as practicable of one nationality, 

 of sociable nature, sunny disposition, intelligent, observant, 

 self-reliant, patient, persevering, and moral, and of that 

 class which has seen some hard .service. They should be 

 unmarried, and between twenty-five and thirty-five years 

 of age. No man should be taken who has ever been 

 addicted to the use of stimulants. Only in exceptional 

 cases should a man be enlisted who had served in a 

 previous expedition. They should be selected and kept 

 under discipline some time before sailing, in order that 

 those un6t may be weeded out. Some shuuld be good 

 hunters, and as many useful trades be represented as 

 poisible. Perfect health is necessary, but e.ipecial attention 

 should be given in medical examination to the condition of 

 the eyes, lungs, teeth, circulation of blood, and as to 

 rheumatic tendencies. 



Regarding food, there should be a great variety, and no 

 set programme as to the order in which it is to be issued. 

 Calculations should be made for five pounds per man daily 

 and one and a half pounds per dog. Bacon corned (not 



salted) beef, ham, and pemmican are the standard meats. 

 Freshly-killed meat should be tiken in large quantities in 

 refrigerators. Birds killed by us in July in Greenland were 

 eaten the next June at Foit Conger. Soups, canned and 

 dried fiuit.", and veget.ibles of all kinds are especially im- 

 portant. Fresh bread should be had daily. Macaroni, 

 condensed milk, oatmeal, butter, lard, cheese, pickles, pre- 

 serves, condiments, and tobacco, should be liberally pro- 

 vided. The regular use of high wines should be dis- 

 countenanced. About one gill weekly per man was 

 consumed by my party, but I should recommend not 

 exceeding half a gill more, or preferably half a pint of rj» 

 ordinaire. For dogs, diied fish or meat must be provided: 

 they will not eat dog or other biscuits unless nearly starved. 

 While working, meat should always be fed to them. The 

 value and utility of skin clothing has been largely over- 

 lated. Thick woollen garments of smooth finish, and 

 heavy flannel underclothing of excellent quality, are enough 

 for all ordinary travel. For unusual exposure, an overcoat 

 slightly lined with dogskin or a heavy woollen teiiiiak (a 

 hooded shirt, generally of sealskin) is sufficient. Any well- 

 lined .skull-cap, with ear-flaps, will do for head covering. 

 Ko satisfactory means of protecting the face is known. 

 Woollen with outer sealskin mittens form fitting hand- 

 gear. No single kind of foot-gear is suitable for all con- 

 ditions. Moccasins and Esquimaux seal boots should be 

 taken in quantities. Leather boots do well in summer 

 only. Heavy woollen stockings, half short and half 

 reaching to the knees, are best for general use. Sleeping 

 socks should be of dog-kin. Well-tanned selected Buffalo 

 robfs made into two-men sleeping bags are best. 



The Greenland and the Siberian sledges are recom- 

 mended for dogs. In case hauling is to be dene by men, 

 the McClintock and Hudson Bay sledges should be taken. 

 The Melville .sledge is excellent for retreat where heavy 

 boats are to be hauled. Sledges are inexpensive, and con- 

 ditions of travel so vary, that all contingencies should be 

 provided against. Alcohol is the best field fuel. Copper- 

 bottomed, fire-pi'oof cooking-pots, with cylinder in centre, 

 are excellent for sledge trips. There is but little choice 

 regarding tentage, but rubber tent-clothes should Ije 

 taken 



Regarding medicines, iron was most in demand with 

 my party, except lime-juice, daily issued. I doubt govern- 

 mental aid being extended to Arctic exploration for years 

 t'l come, but none the less believe in the propriety and 

 certainty of future Arctic work. 



The expedition suggested by Lieutenant Ray, United 

 States Army, at the meeting of the British Society for the 

 Advancement of Science, at Montreal, .should receive the 

 attention and support of scientific men. The magnetic pole 

 of Boothia Felix Land, located by Ross in 1831, has pro- 

 bably changed its position in the past fifty years. Its 

 relocation would be an important contribution to science. 

 With a home station at Repulse Bay or in Wager River I 

 believe this work could be done without great expense or 

 serious danger. The benefits to be derived from such an 

 expedition would not be confined to terrestrial magnetism. 

 As regards ethnology, botany, and natural history, the 

 country around King William Land is substantially a 

 blank. 



As the result of an interesting discussion held at the Anthropo- 

 logical Institute on Feb. 24, incident on the readings of papers by 

 Dr. A. Neubaucr and Joseph Jacobs respectively (the former con- 

 tending that the Jewish race is by no means pnre ; the latter that 

 it is practically unvitiated), the conclusion arrived at was in favour 

 of the purity of the Jewish race. A most curious fact was stated by 

 Mr. Jacobs, if fact it be, viz., that mixed marriages between Jews 

 and Christians are unfertile. 



