1880. ] Geography and Travels. 547 
winter, or descending with the winds and currents from colder 
northern regions. Most commonly this large ice is so deep that 
it is grounded at 5.34 metres to 8.91 metres of water. Now, as 
the depth of the sea diminishes generally in a uniform manner 
toward the shore (save where mountains project in promontories), 
there remains a free channel very wide at the immediate prox- 
imity of the shore. A vessel not drawing more than twelve feet 
can float in all security in this water.” Prof. Nordenskiöld closes 
with the following recapitulation: 
“What I have said may be summed up in the following points: 
“ First—This route by sea from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
along the northern shores of Siberia ought to be frequently navi- 
- gable in a few weeks by a suitable steamer having aboard expe- 
rienced mariners; but it is not very probable, from the knowledge 
that we actually possess of the Ice sea of Siberia, that this route 
will become in its totality of great importance to commerce. 
“ Second —lIt may already be given as a thesis that there exists 
no difficulties for the utilization, as a commercial route, of the sea 
between the Obi-Jenisei and Europe. 
“ Third—According to all probability the route by sea between 
the Jenisei and the Lena and between the Lena and Europe can 
be equally utilized as routes of commerce, but the going and 
returning between the Lena and Europe cannot be effected in the 
course of the same summer. 
“ Fourth—Ulterior explorations are necessary to decide on the 
possibility of maritime commercial relations between the mouth 
of the Lena and the Pacific. The experience acquired by our 
milk of the reindeer, and can be carried frozen for thousands of 
miles. Lieut. Hovgoard states, as another reason for the good 
health of the party, that on no occasion was the daylight quite 
wanting and even on the shortest day, although the sun did not 
rise above the horizon, there was a couple of hours of daylight. 
s experiments recently made in England show that vegetable 
and plant life is produced and stimulated as well by the electric as 
by the sun’s light, its use on board of vessels in the Arctic seas 
might be found advisable not only as a promoter of comfort and 
cheerfulness but as a direct sanitary agent. 
he Danish steamer, A. Æ. Nordenskiöld, which was sent out by 
M. Siberiakoff to the relief of her namesake, and was stranded in 
