INTRODUCTION 



The scope of the scientific work of the Ziegler Polar Expedition* executed during 1903 to 

 1905 under the adverse conditions peculiar to the Polar Regions may be summarized by the 

 following section headings of the results reported upon in this volume : 



A Magnetic Observations and Reductions ; 



B Notes and Sketches of the Aurorse Borealis ; 



C Meteorological Observations and Compilations ; 



D Tidal Observations and Reductions ; 



E Astronomic Observations and Reductions, and 



F Map Construction and Survey Work. 



Many other lines of desirable research were contemplated. The final selection, however, 

 had to be governed by limitations of the Expedition, namely : the personnel could not be 

 increased by the addition of experienced observers, and the time available for preparation and 

 securing of instrumental outfits was all too short. 



As only occasional assistance could be rendered them by the other members of the 

 Expedition practically the entire burden of the scientific work was borne by the following 

 staff of observers : 



William J. Peters, Washington, D. C., Chief Scientist and Second in Command of the 

 Expedition ; 



Russell W. Porter, Springfield, Vermont, First Assistant Scientist ; 



Robert R. Tafel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Second Assistant Scientist ; 



Francis Long, Brooklyn, New York, Weather Observer, and 



John Vedoe, Boston, Massachusetts, Assistant. 



Owing to the loss of the ship, the building of winter quarters, and the almost constant 

 sledging of coal and supplies until far into the winter, there was little time for other than the 

 work of providing shelter and food and the preparations for the spring sledge journey north- 

 ward. In addition to the scientific work, observers were called upon for other duties in these 

 exigencies, besides taking part in the sledge journeys and assisting in the hauling of the instru- 

 ment from Teplitz Bay to the relief ship. The amount of work accomplished in the consequently 

 scant time available is sufficient evidence of the indefatigable and persistent prosecution of the 



*The popular narrative of the Expedition, "Fighting the Polar Ice," by Commander Fiala, has been 

 published by Messrs. Doubleday, Page & Co. The volume, now in its second edition, contains considerable 

 information about the handling of Siberian ponies and dogs, the best clothing and equipment for Arctic 

 work, and some useful directions for Polar photography. ED. 



v 



