20 
tXAUCiUHAI. ADDUKSS. 
Turning to antarctics so far as mere temperature is concerned, 
that to be encountered on the southernuxost tableland of ice, would 
pi-obably not be lower than that endured by Nansen at elevations 
very lofty in Greenland, and the ascent of tlie ice-cliffs nearMomit 
Erebus, from convenient points of sloping shoi-es, would likely also 
not be more perilous, than the scaling of some ice-crests of the Cau- 
casus by membei-s of the Alpine Club last year. The project of 
renewed south-polar exploration has Ixeen discussed in all its 
bearings by the Antarctic Committee of the British Association, 
as well as hei’e. We ai-e not even yet aware, to what cii'cum- 
stances the existexxce of the only deep gulf towards the South 
Pole is traceable, whether to volcanic influeixces, or to terrestrial 
contigui-ation, or to what other causes. Can the increasing 
pi'essure, exercised by the constantly enlarging height of the 
contiguous immense southern ice-masses, induce perh.aps volcanic 
distui’bances through the enormous weight? The bi-eaking 
away of the ci-ust or melting away fi-om beneath, where not on 
firm land, seems quite out of proportion to the ever augmenting 
ponderousness, resulting fronx all aqueous precipitatioxxs ever 
there at once fi’eezing, even at summer-time. What the effect xif 
mei’e gi-avitation mxxy finally be oxi this land of ice without axxy 
i-elievixxg open inteijxxcent watei'-channels, concerns us even at 
such distance here as physicists and also as mere inhabitants 
veiy nxuch indeed ; and it is wox-thy of full discussions in our 
meetings for yeai's to coxxie, particulax-ly if data could be obtained 
as to the i-atio of increase of the ice. The extensive and so 
jiatiiotic Australiaix Natives’ Association likewise advocates re- 
newed Axitarctic disquisition; and surely these efibrts will tend, 
to maiixtaiix xxlso the glorioxis mai-itime supremacy of the Bi’itish 
Nxxtioix, displayed forxxaerly ixx the xixost distant of southern waters 
as much as elsewhere. 
Now as to our owix Alps. The cii'cumspectness and exiex-gy of 
the Couxicil, aided by public and pxivate liberality, has pi-ovided 
enjoymexxts, some with us not pi'eviously i-ealised. Axxxong the.se 
is a tour to our highlaixds. To xuost Australians aiul xxiany of 
the Eui’opeans heie a visit to our Alps, through the steam - 
locomotive moi’e and more coming within ready axid easy reach, 
will have the chanixs of xiovelty. Particulai'ly in eai’ly or in late 
hours you will likely behold a kind of airy ocean, suri'oundiixg 
with gigantic waves, phantastic isles, formed by highland puinacles 
visible above the sea of vapours, the suxi’s rays illuminating the 
calxu or drifting clouds, i-esplendent in colorations of evei'-changing 
ixnd indescribable magixificexice. You will there be in the purest 
of air of lightly respirable buoyancy. Whilst summer-heat 
pai'ched already the lowlands, you will have vernal flower-fields 
of unique ever refreshed beauty, to wander over ; close to this 
nxay lie never-melting snow. In this, what I would call the 
Australiaix Switzerland, pasture- and orchard-plots will soon be 
