1136 REPORT—1885. 
As the searching expeditions of Richardson and Rae, in 1848, of Rae, 1849, of 
Pullen, 1849-50, and of Anderson and Stewart, 1855, obtained no new geographical 
results, no details are given of these. 
APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORK DONE BY THE EXPEDITIONS 
North or Arctic CIRCLE UNDER— 
Guas G. Me, (Gs Me 
1821. Frauklin & Richardson . . onfoot. . 35 incanoes 415 450 
11826. a 5 oe fio » -fy- 40... boats s.19ab) 1045 
Total’ eye MEd O5. 
! (in boat ) F in boat ae 
1834. Back . lo reine’ oer esl a eke consti 105 225 
1837. 
21838. |Dease & Simpson (H.B.Co.) on foot. . 95 in boats . 722 817 
1839. 
1847. gale 
81851. pa a: Oe Ce bol {stedging 1,123 in boats . 369 1,492 
1853-4. ( } 
Grand total . . 4,029 
4. On the best and safest Route by which to attain a High Northern 
Latitude. By Joun Rat, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S., FR.G.S. 
The plan proposed is that the route by the west shore of Spitzbergen should be 
taken by one, or perhaps two, steamers similar to the fine vessels used in sealing and 
whaling at the present time. That after forcing the ice ‘pack’ at the north-west 
end of Spitzbergen, a north-east course towards Francis Joseph Land should be 
followed. That a depét of coals should be placed at a convenient harbour in North 
Spitzbergen. Extracts are given from Parry’s ‘ Narrative,’ 1827, pp. 101 and 148, 
showing how open and small the ice was in latitude 82°45’ N. The southern 
drift of the ice that so obstructed the advance of Parry’s boats will be no great 
impediment to a powerful steamer, whilst if she gets helplessly fixed in the pack 
she will drift homewards with it. No well-equipped and powerful steamer has 
tried this route.* 
5. Oceanic Islands and Shoals. By J. Y. BucHanan. 
6. On the Depth of the permanently Frozen Stratum of Soil in British 
North America. By General Sir J. Henry Lerroy, K.C.M.G., F.R.S. 
7. On Recent Explorations in New Guinea. By Courrs Trorrer. 
The author desired to bring our knowledge of the country up to date by some 
notes on what has been done there since 1883, when he read a paper on New 
Guinea before the Association. He calls attention to the results of Mr. Chalmers’s 
journeys in the south-eastern peninsula, which have added considerably to our 
knowledge of the physical features of the region. Proofs haye been found near 
Yule island of intercourse with the inhabitants of the northern coast, and this, 
coupled with native reports, leads to the belief that a route across the country will 
1 Actually two expeditions, one east, the other west. 
2 Dease and Simpson had to pass over about 800 miles of previously traced coast 
before getting to new ground, but Franklin and Richardson were on new ground at 
once on reaching the coast. 
3 Of the coast, &c., traced by Rae, 1,123 miles were done by sledging, believed 
to be the most laborious of Arctic work. 
4 Parry found the ice floes so small in latitude 82° 45’ N, that only one piece 
could be found large enough and strong enough to haul his boats upon. 
