428 



Dr. J. Murray. 



observers be stationed at Cape Adare for two years, pendulum obser- 

 vations could be carried out there and at other points within the 

 Antarctic, or even on the ice-cap and icebergs. It might be possible 

 to measure a degree on the Antarctic continent or ice-cap, which 

 would be a most useful thing to do. By watching the motions of 

 the icebergs and ice from land at Cape Adare much would be learnt 

 about oceanic currents, and our knowledge of the tides would be 

 increased by a systematic series of tidal observations on the shores 

 of the Antarctic continent, where we have at present no observa- 

 tions. The series of scientific observations here mentioned, and 

 others that might be indicated, would fill up many gaps in our 

 knowledge of the physical conditions of these high southern 

 latitudes. 



Depth of the Antarctic Ocean. 



In regard to the depth of the ocean immediately surrounding the 

 Antarctic continent we have at present very meagre information, 

 and one of the objects of an Antarctic expedition would be to supple- 

 ment our knowledge by an extensive series of soundings in all 

 directions throughout the Antarctic and Southern Oceans. It would 

 in this way be possible, after a careful consideration of the depths 

 and marine deposits, to trace out approximately the outlines of the 

 Antarctic continent. At the present time we know that Ross 

 obtained depths of 100 to 500 fathoms all over the great bank 

 extending to the east of Victoria Land, and somewhat similar 

 depths have been obtained extending for some distance to the east of 

 Joinville Island. Wilkes sounded in depths of 500 and 800 fathoms 

 about 20 or 30 miles off Adelie Land. The depths found by the 

 " Challenger " in the neighbourhood of the Antarctic circle were 

 from 1300 to 1800 fathoms, and further north the "Challenger" 

 soundings ranged from 1260 to 2600 fathoms. To the south-west of 

 South Georgia, Ross paid out 4000 fathoms of line without reaching 

 bottom. In the charts of depth which I have constructed I have 

 always placed a deep sea in this position, for it appears to me that 

 Ross, who knew very well how to take soundings, was not likely to 

 have been mistaken in work of this kind. 



The few indications which we thus possess of the depth of the 

 ocean in this part of the world seem to show that there is a gradual 

 shoaling of the ocean from very deep water towards the Antarctic 

 continent, and, so far as we yet know, either from soundings or tem- 

 perature observations, there are no basins cut off from general 

 oceanic circulation by barriers or ridges, similar to those found 

 towards the Arctic. 



