442 



Sir C. Markham. 



of ice in lower southern latitudes, where it has never been observed 

 since observations thereon are recorded. 



The resolution of the Sixth International Congress of Geographers, 

 assembled here in August, 1895, according to which the present 

 century ought not to be allowed to expire without the unveiling of the 

 mysteries of the South Polar regions, ought to be carried into execu- 

 tion by sending out an expedition to that end. All scientific institu- 

 tions and societies have a well founded interest that such expedition 

 should take place without further delay. 



Remarks by Sir Clements Markham. 



I need scarcely say how fully I concur in every word that has 

 fallen from Dr. Murray on the subject of the scientific results, and 

 more especially of the geographical results of an Antarctic Expe- 

 dition. It is quite sufficient to point out the vast extent of the 

 unknown area, and that no area of like extent on the surface of the 

 earth ever failed to yield results of practical as well as of purely 

 scientific value by its exploration. 



But there is much more to be said in the present instance, because 

 the little that we do know of the Antarctic regions points unmis- 

 takably to the very great importance and interest of the results 

 that are certain to attend further research. The ice barrier dis- 

 covered by Sir James Ross is known to be the source of the immense 

 ice islands of the Southern Polar Sea. But it has only been seen for 

 a distance of 300 miles. It requires far more complete examination 

 before any approach to an adequate knowledge can be obtained 

 respecting the extent and nature of the supposed ice cap in its rear. 



We know that the Southern Continent is a region of actual 

 volcanic activity, but the extent, nature, and effects of that activity 

 remain to be ascertained. On the Antarctic Circle land has been 

 sighted at numerous points, but it is unknown whether what has 

 been seen indicates small islands or a continuous coast line. 



Dr. Murray has pointed out that the whole Southern Continent is 

 certainly not bounded by such an ice wall as was seen by Sir James 

 Ross, and is not covered by an ice cap. But the extent of the ice 

 cap and of the uncovered land is unknown. We are ignorant of the 

 distribution of land and sea, and of ice and water in summer, and of 

 the causes which influence such distribution. 



The investigation of each one of these points, and of many others, 

 will lead to further discoveries as yet undreamt of, which must needs 

 be of the deepest interest to geographers. There are eminent 

 scientific men present who will no doubt refer to the results of 

 exploration in other branches of science. Combined together they 

 make the exploration of the Antarctic regions the greatest and most 

 important work that remains to be achieved by this generation. 



