428 SCIENTIFIC ADVANTAGES OP AN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



are yet in perfect ignorance. This defect is certainly to some consid- 

 erable degree caused by the want of our knowledge in higher latitudes. 

 It seems as if the magnetic character of the South Polar region is such 

 as would aiford all facility for a sound investigation when compared 

 with the magnetic conditions of the North Polar region. A glance at 

 a magnetic map shows how entirely different is the distribution of the 

 magnetic action in both polar regions. 



There is the interesting fact to be noticed in the south that the two 

 foci of total intensity are situated on the side toward the south of the 

 Australian continent and nearly on the same meridian. The magnetic 

 action which makes itself manifest by magnetic storms or disturbances 

 reaches its highest degree likewise south of the Australian continent, 

 whereas to the south of South America the storms become very scarce 

 and of a similar magnitude to those in middle latitudes. This was 

 most strikingly proved by the observations in Orange Bay and South 

 Georgia during the period of international observations in 1882-83. 

 Of course, the magnetic South Pole and the situation of the foci above 

 mentioned are in close connection with these facts, but the reason of 

 their distribution remains unexplained. A discussion of all observa- 

 tions on southern polar lights also shows a connection between their 

 frequency and the maximum region of maguetic disturbance. 



Though the examination of these few facts ought to i^rompt the insti- 

 tution of a vigorous examination of the South Polar regions, the series 

 is far from being exhausted: there is the question of the geoid defor- 

 mation, the phenomena of the tides, and the structure of the ice and 

 its drifting. 



The resolution of the Sixth International Geographical Congress that 

 the present century shoukl not be allowed to expire without unveiling 

 the mysteries of the South Polar regions ought to be carried into effect. 

 All scientific institutions and societies trust that such will take place 

 without any further delay. 



SIR CLEMENTS MAEKHAM ON ANTARCTIC GEOGRAPHY. 



I need scarcely say how fully I concur in every word that has fallen 

 from Dr. Murray on the subject of the scientific results, and more espe- 

 cially of the geographical results of an Antarctic expedition. 



It is sufficient to point out the vast extent of the unknown area, and 

 that no area of like extent on the surface of the earth ever failed to 

 yield results of practical as well as of purely scientific interest by its 

 exploration. 



But there is much more to be said in the present instance, because 

 the little that we do know of the Antarctic regions points unerringly 

 to the very great importance and interest of the results that are certain 

 to attend further research. 



The ice barrier, discovered by Sir James Ross, is known to be the 

 source of the immense ice islands of the southern polar sea. But it 



