PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 519 
Lastly, Lieut. Shackleton’s colleague, Prof. David, with others, made a 
sledge journey to the north-west, reaching the South Magnetic Pole. A 
good deal of triangulation was carried out, many geological specimens were 
collected, and much scientific information was obtained. 
Whether we consider Lieut. Shackleton’s skill and energy in organising 
the expedition, the courage and determination displayed in carrying it 
out, or the results obtained, his expedition will stand out as one of the 
greatest of the many great efforts to reach the Poles, and as a British 
expedition it is one that specially appeals to us. 
At first sight it would seem that these great journeys belie the opinion 
so often expressed of late years that the days of the explorer are numbered, 
and that in future geographers will have to deal with surveys rather than 
exploration; but, in fact, these splendid achievements only strengthen 
this opinion. These explorers have considerably reduced the comparatively 
small area still unexplored, and other expeditions are helping to diminish 
the unexplored area. 
Among those which are in progress I may mention the following :— 
Col. Kozlof’s expedition to Mongolia, which has already visited Kuku 
Nor and which is exploring the upper course of the Huang Ho and other 
parts of Mongolia. Lieut. Boyd Alexander is exploring in West Africa. 
The Duke of the Abruzzi is investigating part of the mountainous region 
across our Indian frontier; Dr. Longstaff is exploring another part of 
that mountain system; Capt. R. E. Peary, U.S.A., and Capt. E. Mikkel- 
sen are leading expeditions in different parts of the Arctic regions, and 
M. Charcot is exploring in the Antarctic Circle. Lastly, an important 
British expedition will start before long to explore part of the Island of 
New Guinea, one of the largest still unexplored land areas. There are 
other expeditions, either in progress or projected, too numerous to 
mention. 
The best modern explorers are not now content with exploration or 
even with a rough route traverse and an occasional observation for lati- 
tude; they either themselves make careful reconnaissance surveys of the 
country adjoining their route or they are accompanied by trained surveyors, 
who make such surveys. 
Again, every year the area surveyed on correct scientific principles is 
extended. The interesting address of my predecessor, Major Hills, will 
have told you what is being done in this way in the British Crown 
colonies. In the British self-governing colonies and in the colonies and 
dependencies of other Powers the area of regular survey is being con- 
tinually extended, and in more remote regions surveys are being carried 
out by Boundary Commissions or for railways or other purposes. Along 
with the increasing appreciation of the value of geography which has 
taken place of late years, there has been an increasing recognition of the 
need for regular surveys, and it is probable that the next generation will 
find that not only is no-considerable area of the earth’s surface unex- 
plored, but that the area not yet surveyed at least geographically, or for 
which a regular survey has not been projected, is getting limited. 
I propose in the rest of my address to deal with the regular survey 
and mapping of new areas, and to discuss various questions connected 
therewith; if I am right in believing that large areas will be regularly 
surveyed in the near future, such questions merit careful consideration. 
T shall state on these points the practice of some of the great national 
surveys, because their experience seems the best guide for future work ; 
but I recognise that methods suitable for rich and populous countries, 
such as Germany, France, or Great Britain, may he too costly for many 
countries and provinces whose survey has still to be made, and mention 
will be made of less expensiye methods which are likely to be much in 
demand in future, 
