January 1, 1897.] 



KNOWLEDGE. 



21 



and looking to the gi-ave issues involved, I consider that 

 expenditure would be wisely incurred in giving it a 

 thorough trial." 



The accompanying illustration is taken from a model 

 showing one of Dr. Jones's modes of protection against 

 torpedo attack. This illustration gives a foreshortened 

 view taken off the port bow, and represents the vessel 

 with the improved torpedo-guard expanded to its protective 

 position. 



It is well known that the net system, which is the only 

 one adopted by all countries, is at the same time universally 

 condemned. A torpedo-guard of any practical utility would 

 readily be preferred to the nets, and the guard shown in 

 our illustration is a plausible means of defence. 



The value of Dr. Jones's torpedo defence for protecting our 

 costly warships and our gallant seamen from the appalling 

 dangers of torpedo attack, is emphasized by the approval 



before the eyes of our officials were opened to the fact of 

 their now acknowledged universal supremacy. 



This fact should be an incentive to our naval rulers of 

 to-day, and it should urge them not to repeat such a suicidal 

 system of delay in the adoption of the latest and only 

 known form of complete defence against torpedoes. 



ANIMAL LIFE IN ARCTIC REGIONS. 



By F. W. Headley, M.A. 



ON first thoughts it seems wonderful that there 

 should be any life in regions near the North Pole; 

 still more so that there should be large mammals 

 living there, able to find food sufficient even in 

 winter, when the thermometer sometimes sinks 

 90° below the freezing point. But the cold is not the only 

 evil that they have to contend against. In the latitude in 



Model of Torpedo-boat with Uuard Opened. 



of the highest expert authorities in the United Kingdom. 

 In the front rank of these is Sir E. J. Reed, K.C.B., well 

 known as having designed and constructed warships for 

 all the naval Powers of the world. 



The notorious and absurd delay accorded by our Govern- 

 ment officials, both in the Army and Navy departments, 

 to the adoption of the Whitehead torpedo and the Maxim 

 gun (the two most destructive weapons of modern science 

 for land and sea service) is lamentable to state, for tliey 

 were in use for several years by the Continental Powers 



which Sir George Nares' expedition wintered, four hundred 

 and fifty-three rnUes from the Pole, for one hundred and 

 forty days the sun does not appear above the horizon 

 — from October 13th to March 1st. It is true that they 

 were not entirely without sunlight. On November 30th, 

 at noon, the sky was so clear that the stars were hardly 

 visible. On December 2'2ad there was an indistinct 

 greenish tint at noon. On December 31st there was an 

 increase in the duration and intensity of the twilight. 

 On February 1st they were able to take considerable walks. 



