﻿446 Canadian Record of Science. 



her share on her own side of the Pole ; what about 

 the side which forms the hinterland of North America, 

 and especially of Canada ? To the north of Europe and 

 Asia we have the scattered groups of islands, Spitsbergen, 

 Franz Josef Land, Nova Zembla, and the New Siberian 

 islands. To the north of America we have an immense 

 archipelago, the actual extent of which is unknown. 

 Nansen and other Arctic authorities maintain that the 

 next thing to be done is to complete exploration on 

 the American side — to attempt to do for that half of the 

 North Pole region what Nansen has done for the other 

 half. It may be that the islands which fringe the 

 northern shores of the new world are continued far to the 

 north ; if so, they would form convenient stages for the 

 work, of a well-equipped expedition. It may be that they 

 do not go much farther than we find them on our maps. 

 Whatever be the case, it is important, in the interests of 

 science, that this section of the polar area be examined ; 

 that as high a latitude as possible be attained ; that 

 soundings be made to discover whether the deep ocean 

 extends all round the Pole. 



It is stated that the gallant Lieutenant Peary has 

 organized a scheme of exploring this area which would 

 take several years to accomplish. Let us hope that he 

 will be able to carry out his scheme. Meantime, should 

 Canada look on with indifference ? She has attained the 

 standing of a great and prosperous nation. She has 

 shown the most commendable zeal in the exploration 

 of her own immense territory. She has her educational, 

 scientific and literary institutions which will compare^ 

 favorably with those of other countries ; her press is of a high 

 order, and she has made the beginnings of a literature and 

 an art of her own. In these respects she is walking in the 

 steps of the mother country. But has Canada not 

 reached a stage when she is in a position to follow 

 the maternal example still further ? What has more 



