vi EDITORIAL NOTE. 



special ship building for it, under the advice of the 

 Construction Department of the German Imperial Navy, 

 is alone to cost ,£30,000. 



Since going to press, Sir G. Newnes' expedition, 

 under the scientific direction of Dr. Borchorevinork, nas 

 returned, having attained the important scientific object 

 of the location of the Southern Magnetic Pole — or rather 

 the group of points of intense magnetic influence, of 

 which a Magnetic Pole is now supposed to consist ; longi- 

 tude, 146° E. ; latitude, 73° 2 °' S. The voyage seems to 

 have been full of unexpected discoveries, and of unique 

 opportunities afforded by a whole year of steady work on 

 shore, with the help of sledge journeys for making addi- 

 tional observations. Thus on 16th February, 1900, the 

 Southern Cross reached the extreme southern limit 

 of her voyage, and Mr. Borchgrevingk went on nearly 

 due south by sledge for a day's journey, reaching latitude 

 78° 50' S., the " farthest south " yet visited. The tale of 

 that long and dreary Antarctic winter, 2,500 miles from 

 the nearest point of land in Australia, will add one element 

 of human interest that has not till now enlivened the 

 records of southern exploration. In view of lectures and 

 books dealing with the latest voyage, and also the results 

 to be expected from the National Antarctic Expedition 

 under Dr. Gregory as its scientific head, and Lieutenant 

 R. F. Scott as commander, the present volume will, it 

 is hoped, fulfil its purpose of rousing and stimulating 

 interest in enterprises that specially appeal to British 

 readers. 



The Translator. 



