510 THE PEOGRESS OF MARITIME DISCOVERT. 



vated 12,000 feet above the level of the sea, combined, with the 

 enow-white mountain-chain and the deep blue ocean, to form a 

 scene, the magnificence of which seemed to be enhanced by the 

 reflection that no human eye had ever witnessed its beauty, as 

 most likely none will ever witness it again. As all the efforts of 

 the gallant leader to penetrate still farther to the south were 

 baffled by a mighty ice-barrier, forming an uninterrupted mural 

 precipice for the length of several hundred miles, he yielded to 

 the invincible obstacles of nature, and returned to more genial 

 climes. It is worthy of notice, that Sir James Clark Eoss had 

 accompanied Parry on his sledge-expedition to the North Pole, 

 and thus acquired the unique distinction of having approached 

 both poles nearer than any other man. 



Whether the lands discovered by Wilkes, D'Urville, Biscoe, 

 Balleny, and Eoss form a continuous continent, or belong to a 

 large group of islands behind which an open sea extends to the 

 very Pole, is a question which most likely will never be solved, 

 as its determination can never be of the least use to mankind. 



The numerous scientific voyages of circumnavigation achieved 

 during the course of the present century are far more important, 

 with regard to the welfare and progress of humanity, than the 

 researches which have been made in the icy wildernesses of the 

 north and south. New lands and isles of great extent have indeed 

 not been discovered by these expeditions, but they have contri- 

 buted not less largely to the advancement of geography and the 

 natural sciences. 



The wonders of oceanic life have first been shown in a more 

 distinct light by the labours of Chamisso, Meyen, Lesson, Darwin, - 

 Grray, Hooker, Eobinson, Dana, &c, who accompanied Kotzebue, 

 Freycinet^ Fitzroy, Eoss, &c, on their world-encircling course ; 

 and numerous coasts and groups of islands, situated in the 

 remotest seas, and formerly only superficially known, have been 

 accurately measured and traced on the map by the distinguished 

 hydrographers who took part in those far-famed voyages. 



