Marcu 15, 1912] 
of these regions and to make rather complete col- 
lections wherever possible. 
The scattered paleontological data in this region 
which now are of small value could be made of 
much greater significance by studies such as are 
proposed. Along physiographic lines practically 
nothing has been done and the broad question of 
eyeles of erosion involving possible climatic 
changes furnishes a fascinating subject of study 
of far-reaching scientific importance. The struc- 
ture of these areas as indicating the character and 
extent of the larger earth movements in the Arctic 
regions and the original structures of the larger 
land masses could be determined by such studies 
as we propose. 
(ce) Glaciation—It is proposed to make a thor- 
ough study of glaciers, glacial motion and the 
process of erosion by glacial ice caps. The geolog- 
ical importance of ice in molding land forms has 
been studied in existing glaciers, but the process 
of land molding under a continuous moving ice 
cap is not understood and there is here an oppor- 
tunity for making observations which are signifi- 
cant not only for the present geological era, but 
also for Permian and Cambrian eras. It is pro- 
posed to make a special study of the so-called 
‘“glacial fringe’’ on the shores of the polar sea 
which to a limited extent resembles the great Ross 
Barrier of the Antarctic. The land and sea ice 
meet on the north coast of Grant Land, about five 
miles off shore. The land ice or ‘‘ glacial fringe’’ 
is not a true glacier, but a combination of glaciers 
from the land and the heavy ice of the fiords which 
merge into a sort of piedmont glacier. There are 
no crevices in the ice surface aside from ‘‘tidal 
eracks,’’ but it is thrown into great swells or 
waves 30-40 feet high and from a few hundred 
yards to a mile in length, which run generally 
normal to the shore. From this fringe come the 
floe-bergs and many heavy ice floes of the polar 
seas. This ‘‘glacial fringe’’ forms a unique and 
interesting feature of glaciation, and a study of its 
character and effects is of the highest importance 
to glacialists. In this connection attention has 
been called to an interesting feature by Colonel 
Feilden, the naturalist to the English Arctic Ex- 
pedition of 1875-6, who says: ‘‘ There is a lot of 
drift wood knocking about. I got it from off the 
floes up to 1,000 feet elevation—the interesting 
question is whether it comes from the Mackenzie 
or from Siberia? I do hope they will make a 
most careful investigation of the raised beaches 
and their contents. Also the birthplace of those 
mysterious boulders which are strewn along the 
SCIENCE 
407 
shores and to high altitudes in Grand Land and 
North Greenland.’’ 
(d) Meteorology.—It is proposed to make con- 
tinuous barometric and thermometrie observations 
at all points visited and an endeavor will be made 
by use of box kites to secure data as to tempera- 
ture and direction of the upper air currents. No 
work of this sort has been previously done in such 
high latitudes, and it is probable that interesting 
data regarding atmospheric circulation will be 
obtained. 
(e) Tidal Observations.—As stated before, ob- 
servations will be made at Cape Thomas Hubbard 
and at points on Crocker Land. Mr. O. H. Tittman, 
superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
in a letter says, ‘‘Tidal observations, if carefully 
made for even a few days at a place, will be 
appreciated at this office. The localities in which 
such information appears to be most desired are: 
Axel Heiberg Island, Greeley Fiord, northwest 
coast of Grant Land, any undiscovered land to the 
northwest of Grant land, the north coast of 
Greenland at points between Cape Bryant and 
Cape Morris Jesup. Any soundings which may be 
taken to the north of known land will be of in- 
terest to this office and to geographers generally.’’ 
(f) Ichthyology—Hitherto practically no fish 
have been caught in these waters by any of the 
previous expeditions except a variety of salmon 
trout found in fresh water lakes. The fish do not 
seem to rise to bait. 
In Smith Sound and Kane Basin there are great 
numbers of fish, however, as proved by the innu- 
merable seals found there. Their chief diet is fish. 
Numerous good-size fish bones were also found in 
the stomachs of narwhals killed by Peary’s last 
expedition. 
By taking nets, trawls, ete., along, fish new to 
science may be caught and in all events we can 
prove what kind of fish inhabit these waters. 
(g) Ethnology—tThe Eskimos will be studied, 
their mode of life, traditions and language. It is 
planned to take a phonograph and make records 
of their language, songs, ete. 
It is also intended to use the new adaptation of 
color photography to moving pictures in depicting 
various phases of animal life. This has never been 
done in the Arctic. Many very interesting and 
valuable moving pictures of the life in the north 
remain to be taken, such as camp life, building 
igloos, driving dogs, hunting and especially a good 
walrus fight. 
(h) Ornithology—Complete collections of eggs 
and birds will be made. Photographs of the nest- 
