280 ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS. 



for all we know to the contrary, in a northeasterly direction, the very 

 directions in which we wish to proceed. Having. this continuity of 

 land, no difficulties exist for the establishment, in absolute security, of 

 depots of provisions and stores for the use of traveling parties. From 

 the configuration of the known land we may reasonably infer that good 

 and sheltered harbors may be found in which a ship, or ships, can 

 winter without any anxiety being felt by those on board on the score 

 of being blown away or crushed by the ice (indeed, we already know 

 of one snug little haven discovered by Mr. Leigh Smith, and named 

 by him Eira Harbor, admirably adapted for such a purpose); and, a 

 very important matter, we know that abundance of fresh food in the 

 shape of bears and walruses, and possibly reindeer and birds, can be 

 obtained. 



I have, therefore, no hesitation in advocating the adoption of this 

 particular route as being the best, according to our present lights, for 

 future polar exploration. From a careful study of the character and 

 formation of the land explored by Payer, I venture to predict that 

 Franz Josef Land will be found to extend as far as the eighty- fourth 

 parallel of latitude, and possibly even beyond the eighty-fifth; but, of 

 course, this is purely conjectural on my part, and must be accepted for 

 what it is worth. But whether the land extends as far as I have indi- 

 cated, or whether it comes to an abrupt termination in latitude 83°, 

 very valuable results will accrue, both geographically and geologically, 

 by an investigation of its interior and the examination of its coast line. 



Although I have implied that conditions favorable to successful 

 exploration are to be found by using Franz Josef Land as a base of 

 operations, still it is only right for me to add that no precautions should 

 be omitted to insure the safe return of the explorers, for exploration 

 in the polar regions must always be attended with a certain amount of 

 risk to those engaged on a service that is perhaps at all times some- 

 what hazardous. With this very important object in view, I consider 

 it is absolutely necessary, in the event of an expedition being sent in 

 this direction, that a large depot of provisions and stores should be 

 established, either at Eira Harbor or on the northwest coast of Novaya 

 Zeinlya — somewhere, I would suggest, in the vicinity of Cape Nassau — 

 as being the most conveniently situated place that a retreating party 

 from Franz Josef Land would make for, and the easiest to reach. 

 Then, again, I am one of those who do not quite approve of a party 

 being left entirely dependent on their own resources; that is to say, 

 without a ship at their back. The terrible sufferings and experiences 

 of those who, in former days, have been left unsupported fully illus- 

 trate, not only the desirability, but the absolute necessity of having a 

 ship so situated that she may be regarded as a safe refuge always to 

 be found, provided with a plentiful supply of provisions, and having 

 on board the wherewithal, in the shape of boats, sledges, clothing, 

 stores, etc., to ecpaip a retreating party; and although she may, as 



