for the year 1875. xxxix 



speaks of the Pacific Survey in the same terms of admira- 

 tion : " Nor are the results of the Pacific Survey less 

 important, they reveal the existence of hitherto unsuspected 

 processes of aqueous ruetamorphism, at great depths in 

 the ocean, and throw an entirely new light upon the geo- 

 logical problem of the origin of azoic clays and schists." 



This liberal promotion of scientific enterprise by the 

 foremost Government of the world, is indeed one of the 

 signs of the times. We have other examples. The Arctic 

 expedition of 1875 left Portsmouth, on its adventurous 

 voyage, on Saturday, the 29th of May, and the enthusiasm 

 and interest displayed on that occasion included every 

 section of society, from Her Most Gracious Majesty to the 

 humblest of Her Majesty's subjects. As Captain Nares is 

 in command of this new venture, it may be hoped that in 

 this instance his skill and care will be rewarded with a 

 success comparable to that which has already attended his 

 command of the Challenger, from which he has been so 

 recently transferred. 



Other expeditions are contemplated. One by the 

 Norwegian Government is being organised, and is ta be 

 under command of Captain Carr Wile, of the Koyal 

 Norwegian Navy. Its objects are similar to those of our 

 own Challenger expedition : the grounds to be surveyed 

 are situated between Sweden, the Faroe Isles, Iceland, Jan 

 Mayen Isle, and Spitzbergen ; the time to be spent on the 

 work is three years. Captain Wile, who is well qualified 

 for this command, having for the last five years commanded 

 the Norwegian Survey steamer Professor JS r anstein, has 

 recently visited England, with the object of informing 

 himself respecting the Challenger's work. A German 

 expedition to the North Pole is also under contemplation 

 at the Admiralty at Berlin : it is probable that this will 

 also start next year. 



