Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-02-01

navigator. He found inhabiting this in
hospitable region the Esduimaux Indian,
the reindeer, and many varieties Of the
floral world, principally Of the Alpine spe-
cics. The latter were numerous, but di-
minutivc. How far north the human race
and animals exist, is not known but DR..
kane's observations clearly establish the
fact, that the extreme cold of latitude 80
degrees is not the limit to their northern
migration.
The habits of the Esquimaux are pecu-
liar. They are essentially migratory
people, and, with sledges drawn by dogs,
undertake journeys of hundreds of miles
in extent, depending for their subsistence
upon such nourishment as chance throws
in their way. This the little party under
DR.. Kane found to be sufficiently abund-
ant to meet their own wants.
During the whole cruise they were new
er seriously in want of food but on one
occasion, which Was when on their return
they were nearing Melville bay. Here
fortunately fine fat seal presented ITSELF
stretched at length on the ice. A boat
was manned to go in pursuit of it, and
DR.. Kane describes the excitement Of the
chase as so intense, that one of the most
experienced gunners of the party could
hardly command himself sufficiently to
fire at it until the boat had ncared with
in few yards, and it was in the very
act Of escaping.
The temperature at which the explora-
tons were conducted, was between 70
and 80 degrees below zero. SO intense
was this cold, that the alcoholic ther-
mometer failed to indicate accurately the
temperature, and even chloriform and the
essential oils, which resist low tempera-
lures, became thick and turbid. 1t was
only by careful observation and com
parison of many instruments, that they
were enabled to stain to any accuracy in
regard to the extent of the cold.
An opportunity has thus been given O
testing the ability of the human body tt
resist temperature Of seventy degrees
below zero, for several months together
The Doctor and his party were enabled
to do this BIZ an immense consumption O
animal food, the ordinary daily allow
'snce to each man bt.ng six or eight ducks
or an equivalent in several pounds Of tn,
fat seal.
Shortly after the discovery Of the com
pound nature of the atmosphere by
Priestly, Crawford broached the thcor,
that the animal heat Of the body is main
ltaind at an uniform temperature Of 81
degrees, by means of a liberal consump
ton Of food containing carbon in excess
as animal food, where the cold is severe
The most beautiful and brilliant series o
experiments prosecuted by Liebig, wer,
those intended to establish this theory
which they do most successfully.
In this connection. the experiment O
DR.. Kane and his party, in showing thu
kind and amount Of food required to en-
able the human body to resist the depress
ing influence of continued low ten pera
ture, for period Of time longer thai
any other recorded, is of tic highes
practical value.
We have in physical geography, as tn
results of this cruise, a newly discos ere,
land, fanked by lofty mountain ranges,
wide and icelcss open sea, clearly point
i'm. to an undiscovered region of larg,
extent towards the north pole, and i'm.
mense glaciers, before which these ofCyl
and Chamouni dwindle into Significance
New York Post.