264 THE UNMAPPED AREAS ON THE EARTH'S SURFACE 



ther 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 organized 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, scien- 

 tific, and literary institutions which will compare favorably with 

 those of other countries ; her press is of a high order, and she 

 has made the beginnings of a literature and an art of her own. 

 In these respects she is walking in the steps of the mother coun- 

 try. But has Canada not reached a stage when she is in a posi- 

 tion to follow the maternal example still further? What has 

 more contributed to render the name of Great Britain illustrious 

 than those enterprises which for centuries she has sent out from 

 her own shores, not a few of them solely in the interests of sci- 

 ence ? Such enterprises elevate a nation and form its glory and 

 its pride. Surely Canada has ambitions beyond mere material 

 prosperity; and what better beginning could be made than the 

 equipment of an expedition for the exploration of the seas that 

 lie between her and the Pole ? I venture to throw out these 

 suggestions for the consideration of those who have at heart the 

 honor and glory of the great Canadian Dominion. 



THE ANTARCTIC REGIONS 



Not only has an interest in Arctic exploration been revived, 

 but in Europe at least an even greater interest has grown up in 

 the exploration of the region around the opposite Pole of the 

 earth of which our knowledge is so scanty. Since Sir James C. 

 Ross' expedition, which was sent out in the year 1839, almost 

 nothing has been done for Antarctic research. We have here to 

 deal with conditions different from those which surround the 

 North Pole. Instead of an almost landless ocean, it is believed 

 by those who have given special attention to the subject that a 

 continent about the size of Australia covers the South Polar re- 

 gion. But we do not know for certain, and surely, in the interests 

 of our science, it is time we had a fairly adequate idea of what 



