THE IWWfAPriCD AREAS ON THE EARTH'S SCRFAfE lNm 



are the real conditions. We want to know wliat is tlie extent of 

 that land, what are its glacial condition.s, whut is tin- character 

 of its geology, what evidence exists as to its physical and hjo- 

 Logical conditions in past ages? We know there is one lofty, 

 active volcano. Are there any others? Moreover, tlie science 

 of terrestrial magnetism is seriously impeded in its progress 

 because the data in this department from the Antarctic are so 

 scanty. The seas around this continent require to he investi- 

 gated both as to their depth, their temperature, and their life. 

 We have here, in short, the most extensive unexplored area on 

 the surface of the globe. 



For the last three or four years the Royal Geographical Society, 

 backed by other British societies, has been attempting to move 

 the home government to equip an adequate expedition to com- 

 plete the work begun by Ross sixty years ago, and to supi)lement 

 the great work of the Cludlcnxier ; })ut though sympathy has l>een 

 expressed for Antarctic exploration, and though vague promises 

 have been given of support, the government is afraid to enter 

 upon an enterprise wdiich might involve the services of a few 

 naval officers and men. We need not criticise this attitude ; Init 

 the Royal Geographical Society has determined not to let the 

 matter rest here. It is now seeking to ol)tain the sui)iiort of pub- 

 lic-spirited men for an Antarctic exj^edition under its own au- 

 spices. It is felt that Antarctic exploration is peculiarly the 

 work of England, and that if an expedition is undertaken it will 

 receive substantial support from the great Australasian colonies, 

 which have so much to gain from a knowledge of the ])hysical 

 condition of a region lying at their own doors and probably iiav- 

 ing a serious influence on their climatological conditions. Here, 

 then, is one of the greatest geographical problems of the future, 

 the solution of which should be entered upon without further 

 delay. It may be mentioned that a small and well-ecjuipped 

 Belgian expedition has already started, niaiidy to carry out deep- 

 sea search around the South Pole area, and that strenuous eWovi^ 

 are being made in Germany to obtain the funds for an expedition 

 on a much larger scale. 



OCEANOGRAPHY 



But our science has to deal not only with the lands of the 

 globe ; its sphere is the whole of the surface of the eartli and all 

 that is thereon, so far at least as distribution is concerne<l. The 

 department of oceanography is a comparatively new creation : in- 



