Notices of Memoirs — Antarctic Exploration. 269 



" One of the most remarkable features in the meteorology of the 

 globe is the low atmospheric pressure at all seasons in the southern 

 hemisphere south of latitute 45° S., with the accompanying strong 

 westerly and north-westerly winds, large rain and snow fall, all 

 round the South Polar regions. The mean pressure seems to be less 

 than 29 inches, which is much lower than in similar latitudes in the 

 northern hemisphere. Some meteorologists hold that this vast 

 cyclonic system and low-pressure area continues south as far as the 

 pole, the more southerly parts being traversed by secondary cyclones. 

 There are, however, many indications that the extreme South Polar 

 area is occupied by a vast anticyclone, out of which winds blow 

 towards the girdle of low pressure outside the ice-bound region. 

 In suppoi't of this view it is pointed out that Eoss's barometric 

 observations indicate a gradual rise in the pressure south of the 

 latitude of 75° S., and all Antarctic voyagers agree that when near 

 the ice the majority of the winds are from the south and south-east, 

 and bring clear weather with fall of temperature, while northerly 

 winds bring thick fogs with rise of temperature. 



" There would appear, then, to be good reasons for believing that 

 the region of the South Pole is covered by what may be regarded 

 practically as a great permanent anticyclone with a much wider 

 extension in winter than in summer. It is most likely that the 

 prevailing winds blow out from the pole all the year round towards 

 the surrounding sea, as in the case of Greenland, but, unlike 

 Greenland, this area is probably seldom traversed by cyclonic 

 disturbances. 



" But what has been stated only shows how little real knowledge 

 we possess concerning the atmospheric conditions of high southern 

 latitudes. It is certain, however, that even two years' systematic 

 observations within these regions would be of the utmost value for 

 the future of meteorological science." 



Eeferring to the Antarctic ice. Dr. Murray said : — 



" From many points of view it would be important to learn some- 

 thing about the condition and distribution of Antarctic sea-ice during 

 the winter months, and especially about the position and motion of 

 the huge table-shaped icebergs at this and other seasons of the year. 

 These flat- topped icebergs, with a thickness of 1,200 or 1,500 feet, 

 with their stratification and their perpendicular cliffs, which rise 150 

 or 200 feet above and sink 1,100 or 1,400 feet below the level of the 

 sea, form the most striking peculiarity of the Antarctic Ocean. 

 Their form and structure seem clearly to indicate that they were 

 formed on an extended land surface, and have been pushed out over 

 low-lying coasts into the sea. 



" Eoss sailed for 300 miles along the face of a great ice-barrier 

 from 150 to 200 feet in height, off' which he obtained depths of 1,800 

 and 2,400 feet. This was evidently the sea-front of a great creeping 

 glacier or ice-cap just then in the condition to give birth to the 

 table-shaped icebergs, miles in length, which have been described by 

 every Antarctic voyager. 



