FIELD WORK OF THE PEARY ARCTIC CLUB, 1808-1902. 449 



and northeastward was also settled, with every indication pointing to 

 the belief that the coast along- which we traveled formed the shore of 

 an uninterrupted central polar sea, extending to the Pole, and l)eyond 

 to the Spitzbergen and Franz Josef Land groups of the opposite 

 hemisphere. 



The origin of the floe bergs and palJeocr3^stic ice was detinitely 

 determined. Further than this, the result of the journej^ was to elim- 

 inate this route as a desirable or practicable one b}^ which to reach 

 the Pole. The broken character of the ice, the large amount of open 

 water, and the comparative!}" rapid motion of the ice, as it swung 

 round the northern coast into the southerly setting East Greenland 

 current, were ver}' unfavorable features. 



During my absence some 33 musk oxen and 10 seals had been 

 secured in the vicinity of Conger; caches for m}^ return had been 

 established at Thank God Harbor, Gape Lieber, and Lincoln Bay, and 

 sugar, milk, and tea had been brought up from the various caches 

 between Conger and Cape Louis Napoleon. 



July was passed by a portion of the party in the region from 

 Discover}" Harbor westward via Black Rock Vale and Lake Hazen, 

 where some 40 nmsk oxen were secured. 



During August and earh^ September various other hunting trips of 

 shorter duration were made, resulting in the killing of some 20 musk 

 oxen. 



1900-1901. 



The middle of September 1 started with Henson and 4 Eskimos to 

 Lake Hazen to secure musk oxen for our winter supply, it being evi- 

 dent that my ship would not reach us. Going Avestasfar as the valley 

 of the Very River, l)y October 4, 92 musk oxen had been killed. 

 Later 9 more were secured, making a total of 101 for the autumn 

 hunting. 



From the beginning of November to March 6, the greater j)ortion 

 of the time was passed Ijy my party in igloos built in the vicinity of 

 the game killed in various localities from Discovery Harbor to Ruggles 

 River. 



April 5. — I left Conger with Henson, 1 Eskimo, 2 sledges, and 12 

 dogs for my northern trip. At the same time the remainder of the 

 party, with 2 sledges and 7 dogs and pups, started south for Capes 

 D'Urville and Sabine to communicate with or obtain tidings of my 

 ship. On reaching Lincoln Bay, it was evident to me that the condi- 

 tion of men and dogs was such as to negative the possibility of reach- 

 ing the pole, and I reluctantly turned back. 



Arriving at Conger, after an absence of eight days, J found the 

 remainder of my party there. They had returned to Conger after an 

 absence of four days, having proceeded one-third of the distance across 

 Ladv Franklin Bav. 



