THE UNMAPPED AREAS ON THE EARTH'S SURFACE 203 



the pliysical history of what is in some respects the most remark- 

 able hind area on the globe. Thougli tlie surface water 8Ui)i.ly 

 is so scanty, there is reason to believe that underneatli tlie sur- 

 face there is an immense store of water. In one or two places in 

 Australia, especially in western (Queensland and in New South 

 Wales, tliis supply lias been tapped with satisfactory results ; 

 millions of gallons a day have been ol)tain('d liy sinking well«. 

 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 thc^ geographical 

 problems of the future in Australia. New Zealand has been fairlv 

 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 (ier- 

 mans are ojiening uj) the interiors of their territories to our knowl- 

 edge, but the western and much larger portion of the island pre- 

 sents a large field for an}-- explorer who cares to venture intt) its 

 interior. 



POLAR EXPLORATION 



The marvelous success which has attended Dr Nansen's daring 

 adventure into the Arctic seas has revived a widespread interest 

 in polar exploration. Nansen may be said to have almost solved 

 the North Pole 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 especially of Canada? To the north" 

 of Europe and Asia we have the scattered groups of islands. Spits- 

 bergen, Franz Josef Land, Nova Zembla, and the New Siberian 

 islands. To the north of America we have an immense archi- 

 pelago, the actual extent of which is unknown. Nan.sen 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 far- 



