i 9 z SIEGE OF THE SOUTH POLE 
gaged the dates between which each was in the field may 
be set down in the form of a diagram, reference to which 
is advisable when reading the narrative of each cruise. 
The diagram gives a vertical line for each month of 
the six years, and a double horizontal line is drawn for 
each expedition across the months occupied by the cruise 
from the date of leaving the home port to that of return- 
ing. The time spent in the Antarctic regions is distin- 
guished by solid black. It will be observed that the 
French expedition was in Antarctic waters in 1837-38 
and again in 1839-40; the American expedition in 1838- 
39 and 1839-40; Balleny’s private voyage took place in 
1838-39 ; and the British expedition spent the three south- 
ern summers 1840-41, 1841-42 and 1842-43 in active polar 
work. 
All three expeditions owed much to the revival in the 
study of Nature which affected all lands alike ; but each 
had its own special characteristics, depending largely on 
the individuality of the commander. Thus each must be 
described separately and it may be that in touching on 
the points of contact — points unfortunately that caused a 
good deal of friction — some repetition of facts will arise. 
Each expedition gave occasion to numerous feats of en- 
durance, each abounded in hairbreadth escapes and in 
opportunities for the display of consummate seamanship, 
and although success did not smile equally upon the three 
it is matter for congratulation that none met with disaster 
but every one achieved something for the honour of its 
flag. 
