THE VALUE OF POLAR EXPEDITIONS. 85 



tennine tho laws of storms, if we could have daily observations from a group 

 of stations within the Arctic circle, it is believed that l\\&j would prove of 

 the highest value in enabling us to explain the phenomena of the middle 

 latitudes. Every winter upon the eastern side of the Eocky Mountains we 

 find an intensely cold w^ave moving down from the northward, and spread- 

 ing over a large portion of the United States. How can we fully understand 

 the cause of the great changes of temperature which so frequently occur 

 during the winter months, unless we know where this cold air comes from ; 

 and how can this be determined without fixed stations of observation ex- 

 tending northward even to the polar regions ? 



" The vast extension of the commerce of the world in recent times and 

 its increased security are due in no small degree to more accurate informa- 

 tion respecting the ph5^sics of the globe, including such subjects as the mean 

 direction and force of the prevailing winds ; the laws of storms; the use of 

 the barometer in giving warning of the approaching violent winds ; the 

 surest mode of escaping the violence of a storm when overtaken b}^ a gale ; 

 the most advantageous route from one port to another ; the direction and 

 velocity of the currents in every ocean ; the variation of the magnetic needle 

 in all latitudes, and its changes from year to year; together with many other 

 problems; and most of these investigations have been greatly facilitated by 

 observations which have been made within the Arctic regions. I do not re- 

 gard it as an exaggeration to claim that the benefits which have resulted 

 both directly and indirectly to the commerce of the world in consequence of 

 polar expeditions are more than equal to all the money which has been ex- 

 pended on the enterprises. 



"Is any additional advantage to the commerce of the world to be an- 

 ticipated from further explorations in the polar regions? Undoubtedly. 

 Precisely what these advantages may prove to be, we cannot certainly pro- 

 nounce beforehand; but upon most of the questions to which I have already 

 alluded more minute information is needed. The demands of science are 

 by no means satisfied, and we may confidently anticipate that any advance 

 in our scientific knowledge respecting questions connected with the physics 

 of the globe will impart increased security to commerce, if a steamer 

 starting from New York and traveling northward could pass directly over 

 the North Pole through Behring Straits into the Pacific Ocean, it would 

 be a triumph of geographical science, equal to the first discovery of America. 

 Whether such a result will ever be witnessed we cannot safely predict, but 

 past explorations have not shown that such an achievement is impossible. 

 I hope we shall not rest contented while so much that is clearly feasible re- 

 mains to be done, and until the northern boundary of Greenland has been 

 traced." 



