TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 179 



forced return of these glacial -n-aters, tlieir greatest volume seeldng tlie most direct 

 course, and thus worLing down the Labrador coast charged with ice and 2)assiug 

 the American coast inside the Gulf-stream ; while the smaller volume, reaching 

 the higher latitudes in mid-Atlantic, interlaces with the warm barrier waters, 

 causing those alternating bauds of cold and warm areas familiar to us from the 

 'Lightning' and 'Porcupine' observations, and which are now being worked out 

 by the Norwegian exjjloring expedition in the Government ship ' "S'uringeu.' 



We can further conceive that the lai'ger function of the " couutercurrents " on 

 the north margin of the great equatorial streams is to act as conduits for the sur- 

 charged waters of the northern oceans consequent on the gradual changes of level. 

 The Atlantic countercm'rent, we know, expands markedly in the autumnal season; 

 and there maj^ be some connexion between this expansion and the high level of the 

 waters said to exist in the Gold-Coast and Guinea bights at the same season. 



We are thus, as it appears to me, now only on the threshold of a large field of 

 inquiry bearing on the Physical Geogra])hy of the Sea ; but we have this advan- 

 tage : the admirable discussions which have taken place in the past few years, 

 productive as they have been of the marshalling hosts of valuable facts, will lighten 

 the labours of those who engage in the prosecution. Science is deeply indebted to, 

 and, I am sure, honours, those who have so earnestly worked on the opening pages 

 of the coming chapter on Ocean Circulation. 



Unwillingly I turn from this interesting subject ; but the demands on my time 

 and your patience are imperative, as, following precedent, it is incumbent on mo 

 brietly to bring under the review of the Association the latest unrecorded incidents 

 in geographical progress or research. 



There is one absorbing topic wdiich, in the course of a few weeks, or even days, 

 may attract general interest. I refer to accounts of our Arctic Expedition. It is 

 possible that, while I am now addressing you, the ships ' Alert ' and 'Discovery,' 

 lavoured by tine seasons, may have, in their endeavours to reach high northern 

 latitudes, accomplished all that human skill and energy can do, and, by fortuitous 

 circumstances, secured their return southward through Smith Sound, with the same 

 facility, we have reason to hope, as they entered what we suppose to be that 

 notable gateway to the Pole. If so, they are now fairly in Davis Strait, homeward 

 bound. AVc must not regard this estimate of progress as visionary ; for, the con- 

 ditions being favourable, the time at the disposal of the voyagers is ample. It is 

 the varying conditions of arctic seasons, we must remember, that baffle the fore- 

 casts of the most experienced arctic experts. 



Should unfavourable conditions, or the decision of the Chief, detain the ships 

 another year in their icy quarters, wo have reason to hope that advices will reach 

 us of their whereabouts in the spring of this year. The spirited enterprise of the 

 well-trained arctic navigator, Allan Young, supported as he has been by the 

 Government, offers a sure guarantee that the leaders Nares and Stephenson will 

 be ably seconded in their eiforts to keep up communication with their countrymen. 

 Here again we must not forget that baffling conditions may defeat the intentions 

 of the commanders to communicate in time witli the depots at the portals of 

 Smith Sound. 



This prolonged banishment from intercourse with the outer world, howe^-er, was 

 a contingency anticipated and provided for by that able Committee of arctic 

 oflicers who, with a full sense of their responsibiiity, so fully advised the Govern- 

 ment in every phase of this national undertaking. A Parliamentary paper, pub- 

 lished during this session, gives the fullest particulars relating to the progress of 

 the expedition and the steps Avliich have been taken to connnunicate with their 

 depots. There is a long chain of contingencies to be attended to, as will be seen 

 on reference to tlie interesting details therein given ; but I ventiuc to think that 

 not a link is missing, either in the conception or in the means provided, to bring 

 the undertaking to a successful issue. 



There is one feature to be kept in view — which from the exceptional conditions 

 of ship-navigation in the icy regions of the far north is rarely realized, unless by 

 tliose who l!a\e had actual experience in polar service ; and it is this, that between 

 the time of tlie disruption of the old ice in August and the formation of tlie new 

 in September, there exists a very short period when ships are free to move. This 



