290 Scientific Results of 



It is certain that additional localities for fossil plants will 

 be discovered, and of necessity additional species be brought 

 to light, for, in the past, such remains have been found as far 

 as explorers have penetrated. 



From the important part extreme cold has of late years 

 been found to have played in the last geological, or glacial, 

 period, it would be of much value to have exact observations 

 of the effects produced on the rocks by the intense cold of 

 the northern regions ; to ascertain the extent, height, and 

 range of the glaciers ; and to note their effects on the surface 

 of the country and on the different classes of rocks. Again, 

 it would be interesting to determine the extent of the river 

 floods, and the depths of the channels they have excavated in 

 the Arctic regions. 



Another desirable object of the proposed Arctic expedition 

 would be the investigation of the mollusca, not only of marine, 

 but also of land and fresh-water kinds. In a geological, as 

 well as a zoological point of view, such an investigation 

 would be especially valuable. The palseontological basis of 

 the glacial epoch consists mainly in the identity of certain 

 species which inhabit the Polar Seas, and are fossil in Great 

 Britain and elsewhere. But such species may owe then pre- 

 sent habitat and position to other than climatal causes, viz. 

 to the action of marine currents. It is quite a mistake to 

 assume that Arctic species are few in number; we know 

 very little about them, because the exploration of the eircum- 

 polar seas by means of the dredge is so difficult. But the 

 researches of the Scandinavian zoologists show that the Arctic 

 marine invertebrate fauna is extremely varied and numerous. 

 All fossils should be diligently collected, and their positions 

 accurately noted. The conditions and climate of the Arctic 

 regions at the later geological periods may be thus ascertained, 

 and a new chapter opened in the history of our globe. 



The mineralogy of the Greenland continent is also im- 

 portant, and the discovery of new veins of cryolite and other 



