CHAPTER I. 



RUSSIA AKD Eiq^GLAi^D IJ^ THE WORK OF ARCTIC EXPLOR- 

 ATION. — VITUS BERING'S RANK AS AN EXPLORER. 



"TN the great work of Arctic exploration done during 

 J- the last two centuries, it was first Russia and later 

 England that took the lead, and to these two nations we 

 are principally indebted for our knowledge of Arctic con- 

 tinental coast-lines. The English expeditions were under- 

 taken with better support, and under circumstances better 

 designed to attract public attention. They have, more- 

 over, been excellently described, and are consequently well 

 known. But in the greatness of the tasks undertaken, in 

 the perseverance of their leaders, in difficulties, dangers, 

 and tragic fates, Russian explorations stand worthily at 

 their side. The geographical position of the Russians, 

 their dispersion throughout the coldest regions of the 

 earth, their frugal habits, remarkable power of foresight, 

 and their adventurous spirit, make them especially fitted 

 for Arctic explorations. Hence, as early as the first half 

 of the eighteenth century, they accomplished for Asia what 

 the English not until a hundred years later succeeded in 

 doing for the other side of the earth,— namely, the 

 charting of the polar coasts. 



In this work the Russians introduced the system of 

 coasting and sledging into the service of Arctic expedi- 



