296 ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS. 



Tidal action has been observed in nearly every part of the Arctic 

 regions that has been visited by man, but probably from a want of 

 synchronous observations we have yet much to learn in this respect. 



A more complete knowledge of the nature, character, and size of the 

 icebergs and ice fields met in various parts of the polar regions, together 

 with other glacial observations, would also be of exceptional interest. 



Nor must we omit from the results that are likely to accrue to science 

 by continued exploration in the Arctic regions those connected, with 

 terrestrial magnetism and spectrum analysis, to say nothing of the 

 importance of obtaining pendulum and auroral observations in high 

 latitudes. Each and all of these are matters of the highest consequence 

 and deserving of further investigation, and these investigations can 

 only be carried out by competent observers on the spot. 



I trust I have said enough lo show the value and importance of fur- 

 ther exploration in the ice-clad regions of the north. I have endeav- 

 ored to show as briefly as is compatible with the importance of the 

 subject our knowledge of the north polar regions up to the threshold 

 that bounds what I may designate the terra incognita of the Northern 

 Hemisphere, and I have also attempted to point out the best means by 

 which successful exploration in the unknown regions can be carried out. 

 I would wish especially to lay stress on the fact that any advance into 

 the undiscovered region must be regarded as a success, quite independ- 

 ent of the attainment of any position in near proximity to the pole. 

 Therefore the route that is likely to lead to the discovery of the great- 

 est extent of the unknown region, whether to the north, east, or west, 

 is the one that should be followed in future exploration. If every 

 nation that is represented at this congress — and I think the whole civ- 

 ilized world is represented — were to unite in their endeavors to dispatch 

 expeditions to explore the hidden mysteries of the polar basin, Prance 

 taking one section, the United States another, Germany a third, Great 

 Britain, Sweden, Italy, Holland, and Norway others, then I am confi- 

 dent that in a short time that large blank space on our globe having 

 the North Pole as its center will be as well known and as accurately 

 charted as are the other known parts of the world. There is plenty of 

 work to do, and there is plenty of room for every nation in this great 

 and interesting scheme of exploration. The zeal, energy, and enthusi- 

 asm of those who have preceded us have already acquired for us a 

 knowledge of vast territories that a century ago were as much a sealed 

 book as the north and south polar basins are at the present day. Surely 

 in this enlightened age we ought not to hold back where others in the 

 past have led the way. Let us now in this congress use our utmost 

 efforts to effect the exploration of those million and a half square miles 

 of absolutely unknown region surrounding the northern axis of our 

 globe. If we succeed in procuring the dispatch of even one well- 

 organized expedition we shall be satisfied that this congress, at any 

 rate, has not met in vain. 



