330 



GREENLAND OR P0LAR ICE. 



food. They could be yoked to sledges framed of 

 the lightest materials, adapted for the accommo- 

 dation of the adventurers, and the conveyance of 

 the requisites. The provisions for the adventurers, 

 for compactness, might consist of portable soups, 

 potted meats, &c., and compressed lichen for the 

 rein-deer. The instruments and apparatus, might 

 be in a great measure confined to indispensables, 

 and those of the most portable kinds ; such as 

 tents, defensive weapons, sextants, chronometers, 

 magnetic needles, thermometers, &c. 



As the rein-deer is, however, a delicate animal, 

 difficult to guide, and might be troublesome if 

 thin or broken ice were required to be passed, — 

 dogs would seem in some respects to be preferable. 

 In either case, the animals must be procured from 

 the countries wherein they are trained, and drivers 

 would probably be required with them. The 

 journey might be accelerated, by expanding a sail 

 to every favourable breeze, at the same time, the 

 animals would be relieved from the oppression of 

 their draught. It would appear from the reputed 

 speed of the rein-deer, that, under favourable cir- 

 cumstances, the journey might be accomplished 

 even in a fortnight, allowing time for rest and ac- 

 cidental delays. It would require a month or six 

 weeks with dogs, at a moderate speed ; and, in 

 the event of the failure of these animals on the 

 journey, it does not seem impossible that the re- 



