TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION Ff. 803 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15. 
The following Papers and Report were read :— 
1. On the Voyage of the ‘ Southern Cross’ from Hobart to Cape Adare. 
By Huew Rosert Mitt, D.Sce., F.RSL. 
By permission of Sir George Newnes the particulars of the voyage of his Polar 
yacht Southern Cross from Tasmania to Cape Adare conveying the Antarctic 
expedition under the command of Mr. Borchgrevink were laid before the Section. 
The Southern Cross left the Thames on August 24, 1898, and Hobart on De- 
cember 19, reached the first ice on December 30 in 61° 56'S. and 159° E., and 
entered the heavy pack on January 1, 1899. She worked her way slowly to 
66° 46’ S. on January 31, then turned northward, got clear of the pack, and entered 
it again farther east on February 13, and passed through easily, anchoring off the 
beach near Cape Adare on February 17. In spite of heavy storms the whole party 
was safely landed with their stores, and the ship left for the north on February 28. 
2. The Problem of Antarctic Exploration. By Henryk Arcrowskt. 
The question of Antarctic exploration is now before the scientific world, and it 
must be answered in such a manner that the results of the voyages of exploration 
may be in accordance with modern requirements. A great step in our knowledge 
of the physical conditions of the globe is about to be made. 
I would insist, in the first place, that it is necessary to aim not only at the 
discovery of new lands and the observation of their configuration. The geology 
of these lands must be studied, and also the glaciers and the condition of the sea- 
ice which surround them. The various physical and natural sciences have then to 
be considered, taking account of magnetic and meteorological conditions, fauna, 
flora, &c. All these, however, concern only one side of the question, for in the 
southern hemisphere not only are the Antarctic lands—continent or islands— 
totally unknown, but also a very large part of the three great neighbouring 
oceans. At the present day it is impossible to consider the land alone; the whole 
Antarctic area exhibits phenomena which remain very imperfectly known. I refer 
specially to the great questions of atmospheric circulation, climate, cireumpolar 
oceanography, and magnetic conditions, 
Hence Antarctic explorations must be conducted in three ways :— 
1. A system of fixed stations arranged between the edge of the continents and 
the zone of ice. These stations should be supplied with all necessary magnetic 
and meteorological instruments, and continue at work simultaneously for one year 
at least. 
2. During the same year two polar expeditions should set out on opposite sides 
towards the South Pole. This would require two vessels strong enough to with- 
stand the pack and equipped for wintering. 
3. Finally a circumpolar expedition, planned to follow the edge of the pack 
right round, and specially equipped for oceanographical and zoological work. 
This expedition would also survey the accessible parts of the Antarctic coast. 
Such a system of exploration must necessarily be the work of several nations. 
‘Weyprecht’s idea should be revived and followed. Antarctic exploration must be 
conducted systematically, and it ought to be international. A series of cireumpolar 
stations, where comparable and simultaneous observations are carried on, would 
make the results of the British and German Antarctic expeditions remarkably 
complete, and vastly enhance their value. 
I should suggest the following arrangement of stations. 
A polygon of stations should unite South America and the Antarctic lands, 
The path of the cyclonic storms passes to the south of Cape Horn, and—at least 
during part of the year—to the north of Palmer Land. The polygon should 
include stations on the east and west coasts.of Graham Land, and one of the South 
3F2 
