On the Arctic Relief Expeditions. 159 



we get the rule." Thus the addition of near three-fourths 

 of the globe to the field of meteorological observation, and 

 that three-fourths covered by water, will be an accession to 

 science of great importance. 



Observations by Augustus Petermann, Esq., on the Arctic 

 Relief Expeditions. 



Noble efforts have been made to rescue Sir John Franklin 

 and his companions. But now that nearly eight years have 

 elapsed without tidings of them, even the most sanguine 

 must begin to feel anxiety about their safety. If, as is very 

 probable, they have not perished from the want of food, but 

 have been eking out an existence by means of certain Arctic 

 animals, their number must have greatly diminished, and 

 those who may still be alive would doubtless, from their 

 long confinement and severe trials, have their strength so 

 reduced as to be unable to extricate themselves from their 

 prison, or make much locomotive progress. In any efforts, 

 therefore, that may yet be made for their relief, time should 

 form a chief point of consideration, as every week may cut 

 off some from the number yet living. It is now satisfac- 

 torily established that they must be looked for far beyond 

 the American shores, — indeed, far beyond Melville Island, — 

 namely, opposite the shores of Siberia, in a region extend- 

 ing from the land discovered by Captain Kellett to the 

 eightieth parallel, and from the meridian of Point Barrow 

 on the American side, to that of the Kolyma on the Asiatic. 

 This is just the region which has been, and is still, alto- 

 gether unprovided for in the search, except by the Assistance 

 and her tender under Sir Edward Belcher, who has gone up 

 Wellington Channel, where most probably the missing expe- 

 dition has preceded him. But although Sir Edward Belcher 

 found an unusually open season, enabling him to push his 

 way up that channel, it is not very likely, considering the 

 time that would be lost in looking for traces, that he would 

 overtake Franklin in less than three years, by following him 

 on a route which has occupied the latter six years. For it 



