Introduction. 



The investigations and observations discussed in the following pages 

 have been made on the Danmark Expedition to the north-east 

 coast of Greenland in 1906 — -08, which was planned and started by 

 Mylius-Erichsen and was carried out under his direction until his 

 death in 1907. Thereafter I had the honour of directing the Expedi- 

 tion and of bringing it home to Denmark. 



The observations were carried out partly from the vessel of the 

 Expedition "Danmark," during the voyage to N.E.Greenland in 1906 

 and on the return voyage to Denmark in 1908, partly in the winter- 

 harbour and on sledge and boat journeys in the neighbourhood of 

 this. 



Where my duties as responsible leader of the vessel came into 

 conflict \^'ith the hydrographical investigations, the latter as a rule 

 had to give way, being of less importance than the rapid and safe 

 conduct of the vessel ; but in August 1908 a cruise was undertaken 

 northwards and eastwards in the coastal water off Kong Frederik VIII 

 Land, the object being to make good use of the specially favourable 

 ice conditions for carrying out hydrographical observations, and for 

 trawling and dredging. 



I am indebted to several of the members of the Expedition for 

 good assistance in collecting the material. The zoologists Fritz Johan- 

 sen and A. L. V. Manniche often helped me ; Peter Hansen and Charles 

 Poulsen were always willing and untiring helpers, as also J. Ring 

 and Hagerup. The engineers Weinschenck and Koefoed helped me 

 very much in repairing the instruments and fitting out the sledge and 

 boat installations. 



First-lieut. Bistrup rendered valuable assistance with regard to 

 the tidal measurements. To Dr. phil. A. Wegener my thanks are 

 due for data regarding the temperature of the air. 



In working up the material Prof. Martin Knudsen and Dr. J. 

 Gehrke have lent me their valuable assistance. 



When fitting out I received good and useful advice in the pro- 

 curing of instruments from Prof. Martin Knudsen, Prof. Fr. Nansen, 

 Prof. Pettersson and cand. mag. J. P. Jacobsen. To one and all I 

 beg to offer my heartiest thanks. 



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