THE WEDDELL QUADRANT AND ADJACENT AREAS. 119 



the thermal gradient is exceedingly steep, as shown by the synchronous observations 

 made by the Swedes at Snow Hill and the adjacent station of Paulet Island, some fifty 

 miles to the north. In this region the temperature falls off at the rate of about 6° to 

 7" F. for every degree of latitude : the abrupt bending of the isotherms to the south 

 about the meridian of 40° W. is clearly due to the presence of the extensive land mass 

 indicated by Dr Bruce on his bathy metrical chart in lat. 66° S., long. 47° W. All the 

 varied information which I have collected bearing on this point affords strong evidence 

 of the existence of a land mass in the assigned position. In this connection I may 

 incidentally refer to some conclusions I have arrived at with reference to the probable 

 existence of a peninsula or archipelago east of King Edward VII. Land. If the 

 observations taken by Ross in the year 1842, between 65° and 67° S., and long. 154° to 

 160° W., represent the normal meteorology of this region in summer, there is strong 

 evidence that King Edward VII. Land sweeps round in a N.N.E. direction, with its 

 northern apex in lat. 69° S., between the longitudes of 1 50° and 155° W. To the east of 

 this the land probably falls away in a gentle curve, joining Graham's Land in 71° S. 

 The whole wind circulation in the Ross Sea, as well as other meteorological concurrents, 

 support the conclusion that we have to do with conditions somewhat similar to those 

 obtaining in the Weddell Sea area. This calls for a peninsula situated perhaps even 

 further west than I have indicated. 



The map of mean annual cloud-amount shows distinctly the distribution of this 

 element in its relation to land and sea. Over Graham's Land and adjacent regions 

 the skies are relatively clear, but where the pack ice and open ocean meet there is a 

 zone of much cloud. The increased clearness of the skies on the east as compared with 

 the west side of the continent of South America is also of interest, as is the compara- 

 tively small cloud-amount of inland stations in Tierra del Fuego. 



With regard to future work, it is a matter for satisfaction that there is no abate- 

 ment of interest in Antarctic investigation. A British expedition is even now at work 

 in Victoria Land, where a third year's observations will materially strengthen the 

 normals for that locality. The same considerations apply to Graham's Land, towards 

 which a French expedition, now on the eve of departure, is to direct its efforts. Several 

 prospective expeditions have announced their programmes, the realisation of which is 

 earnestly to be desired. Meanwhile, the energy of the Argentine Government, as 

 reflected in Mr Davis' efforts to establish the South Orkney station on a permanent 

 basis, remains undiminished, while further developments, which it is hoped to realise in 

 the immediate future, will enable us in time to come to discuss in a manner more 

 thorough than is now possible the meteorology of the Weddell Quadrant and adjacent 

 areas. 



General Summary of the Tables. 



In the remarks which follow I shall endeavour, as briefly as is consistent with 

 clearness, to summarise in a general manner the contents of the tables. While the 

 titles give a definite indication of the elements to which they refer, further particulars 

 are desirable for the sake of clearness. Tables I. to VII. give for various stations from 



TRANS. ROY. SOC. EDIN., VOL. XLVII. PART I. (NO. 5). 17 



