(576 WINDS OF THE (JLOBE. 



SPECIAL DEDUCTIONS. 



GREENLAND AND ARCTIC AMERICA. 



The information we have on the winds, as well as on the general climate of 

 Arctic America and the adjacent islands, is more extensive than that on any other 

 Arctic region, Northern Norway excepted. Our knowledge of these regions is 

 mostly due to Arctic explorations. The Arctic Archipelago, north of the American 

 Continent and west of Greenland, was explored almost continuously by British 

 expeditions for more than thirty-five years (1818-1855), in search of a northwestern 

 passage. 



The results of these expeditions are of high value to science, especially as the 

 inducements to explorations in this direction can scarcely ever return. The bays 

 and straits between the islands are probably the most ice-bound in the world. 



Smith's Sound and Northern Greenland have been explored by the American 

 expeditions of Kane, Playes, and Hall. 



According to the most authentic Arctic authorities. Smith's Sound offers the 

 best route to the Pole, the sea between Spitzbergen and Nova Zembla perhaps 

 alone excepted. It is entirely frozen only a short time, and does not present 

 serious obstacles to navigation in steamers. This gives us reason to expect further 

 knowledge of those regions which were so successfully penetrated by American 

 explorers, with very inadequate means at their disposal. 



A German expedition wintered in Eastern Greenland, 75° N. Lat. 



We know much less of Western Arctic America ; few expeditions having win- 

 tered there west of 100°. Our knowledge of the interior of British America is also 

 less than of the Arctic Archipelago, though it is much more easy of access. More 

 information relative to this region is very desirable. 



Our knowledge of the climate of Arctic regions generally having been mainly de- 

 rived from observations made in the Arctic Archipelago of America and in Smith's 

 Sound, it is necessary therefore to inquire into the geographical position of these 

 regions. They are situated from nearly due north to W. N. W. of Iceland, where, 

 as was stated above, exists the lowest pressure of the northern hemisphere, nearly 

 the whole year round, but especially in winter. This must lead to the prevalence 

 of northerly and westerly winds. Accordingly in the stations in Smith's Sound 

 northeasterly winds were found dominant, owing to the influence of tlie strait, and 

 also to the position, N. N. W. of Iceland. (See Map, PI. 2.) 



There are great discrepancies in the results obtained at the different stations, 



