SUMMER SPORT IX NOVA ZEMLA. 95 



would be the more complete in proportion to the 

 number of vessels employed, and the more valuable in 

 proportion to its completeness and continuity. At 

 present it appears that from July till the end of 

 September are, as a rule, the ordinary limits of the 

 navigable season, which may be extended or con- 

 tracted according as the season is favourable or other- 

 wise. The establishment of fixed winter meteoro- 

 logical stations in various parts of the arctic lands 

 will be a distinct step in advance in polar explora- 

 tion, and will perhaps yield more valuable scientific 

 results than even the attainment of the Pole itself. 

 Apart, however, from scientific considerations, as long 

 as that portion of the earth's surface remains un- 

 visited, human nature is such that human beings 

 will always be found eager to be the first to plant 

 a flag there ; and that that flag should be any other 

 than the Union-jack, heaven forbid ! 



