Report on the Danmark expedition to the north-east coast. 217 



We have oiily to think of the difficulties they might encounter 

 there: deep ravines and fissures would make advance difficult, especi- 

 ally on ascending and descending. 



Further, they would have no hope of hunting on the inland ice, 

 whereas they might expect to meet with game along the outer coast; 

 nor could they get firewood on the inland ice, whilst petroleum lay 

 in several of the depots. 



There seems therefore but little probability that they climbed 

 on to the inland ice, for example, at some place or other on the east 

 side of Danmarks Fjord. For all the above grounds, indicating the 

 advantage of selecting the coastal route for the homeward journey, 

 are so weighty, that w-e may reasonably conclude, that this route has 

 been chosen, even though Mylius-Erichsen and his companions 

 have started on their return journey from a point considerably further 

 up Danmarks Fjord than Cape Kronborg. 



We must remember also, that by following along the outer coast 

 they would come to the first depot already at Prinsesse Dagmars 

 Peninsula. Here Mylius-Erichsen had deposited a box of dog pem- 

 mican (ca. 26 kg.), which would have lasted several days for 3 men 

 and at most 7 dogs. More they could not have had at this time and 

 possibly they had only 5. And here lay the cooking case. It was 

 as good as firewood (see p. 131). 



About 110 kilometers further on they would reach the next depot 

 (at 81°30'), which contained: 



2 small tins of pemmican 



1 tin of farce with cabbage 



2 tins of peasemeal with pork 

 2 liters of petroleum ^ 



26 kg. of dog pemmican 



About 100 kilometers further they would come to the next depot 

 (at 80°43'j, Avhere Mulius-Erichsen could expect to find 2 days' 

 provisions for 3 men and 26 kg. dog pemmican, 18 kg. grease. 



In this depot there was in reality much more, as Koch on his 

 return journey had deposited about 125 kg. bear and walrus meat, 

 26 kg. dog pemmican and 18 kg. grease. Further, at the Eskimo 

 ruins on Sophus Müllers Naze Koch had also deposited about 125 kg. 

 walrus meat. Of this, however, Mylius-Erichsen knew nothing. 



The contents of the 7 depots south of the depot on 80°43' are 

 mentioned in the list p. 132. 



^ For one meal per day for 3 men, 2 liters of petroleum would probably last 

 about 20 days at the latitude in question and the time of year. See Meddelelser 

 om Grønland, Bd. XXVII, p. 73. 



