708 REPORT— 1897. 



far as our present knowledge goes one-third of the continent is uninhabitable. 

 This desert area has been crossed by explorers, at the expense of great sufferings, 

 in various directions, each with the same dreary tale of almost featureless sandy 

 desert, covered here and there with Spinifex and scrub, worse than useless. There 

 are hundreds of thousands of square miles still unknown, but there is no reason to 

 believe that these areas possess any features that differ essentially from those 

 Vfhich have been found along the routes that have been explored. There have 

 been one or two well-equipped scientific expeditions in recent years that have col- 

 lected valuable data with regard to the physical characteristics, the geology and 

 biology of the continent ; and it is in this direction that geography should look 

 for the richest results in the future. There remains much to be done before we 

 can arrive at satisfactory conclusions as to the physical history of what is in some 

 respects the most remarkable land area on the globe. Though the surface water 

 supply is so scanty there is reason to believe that underneath the surface there 

 is an immense store of water. In one or two places in Australia, especially in 

 Western Queensland, and in New South Wales, this supply has been tapped with 

 satisfactory results ; millions of gallons a day have been obtained by sinking wells. 

 Whether irrigation can ever be introduced on an extensive scale into Australia 

 depends upon the extent and accessibility of the underground water-supply, and 

 that is one of the geographical problems of the future in Australia. New Zealand 

 has been fairly well surveyed, though a good deal remains to be done before 

 its magnificent mountain and glacier system is completely known. In the great 

 island of New Guinea both the British and the Germansare opening up the interiors 

 of their territories to our knowledge, but the western and much larger portion of 

 the island presents a large field for any explorer -who cares to venture into its 

 interior. 



The marvellous .success which has attended Dr. Nansen's daring adventure into 

 tbe Arctic seas has revived a widespread interest in Polar exploration. Nansen 

 may be said to have almost solved the North Polar problem — so far, at least, as 

 the Old World side of the Pole is concerned. That some one will reach the Pole 

 at no distant date is certain ; Nansen has shown the way, and the legitimate 

 curiosity of humanity will not rest satisfied till the goal be reached. But Arctic 

 exploration does not end with the attainment of the Pole, Europe has done her 

 share on her own side of the Pole ; what about the side which forms the Hinter- 

 land of North America, and specially of Canada ? To the north of Europe and 

 Asia we have the scattered groups of islands Spitsbergen, Franz Josef Land, 

 Novaya Zemlya, and the New Siberian Islands. To the north of America we have 

 an immense archipelago, the actual extent of which is unknown. Nansen and 

 other Arctic authorities maintain that the next thing to be done is to complete 

 exploration on the American side, to attempt to do for that half of the North 

 Polar region what Nansen has done for the other half. It may be that the 

 islands which fringe the northern shores of the New World are continued far to 

 the north ; if so they would form convenient stages for the work of a well-equipped 

 expedition. It may be that they do not go much farther than we find them on 

 our maps. Whatever be the case it is important, in the interests of science, that 

 this section of the Polar area be examined ; that as high a latitude as possible be 

 attained ; that soundings be made to discover whether the deep ocean extends all 

 round the Pole. It is stated that the gallant Lieutenant Peary has organised 

 a scheme of exploring this area which would take several years to accomplish. 

 Let us hope that he will be able to carry out his scheme. Meantime, should 

 Canada look on with indifference ? She has attained the standing of a great and 

 prosperous nation. She has shown the most commendable zeal in the exploration 

 of her own immense territory. She has her educational, scientific, and literary 

 institutions which will compare favourably with those of other countries ; her 

 Press is of a high order, and she has made the beginnings of a literature and au art 

 of her own. In these respects she is walking in the steps of the Mother Country. 

 But has Canada not reached a stage when she is in a position to follow tht^ 

 maternal example still further .^ What has more contributed to render the name 



