Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-05-11
REMARKS OF PROF AGAssiz.

Prof. Acassiz OF Harvard College was the next
speaker. lie said he could add very little to what
Dr. HAYES had so well said but gladly availed him
self Of the opportunity to express his hearty sym
pathy with the object of the meeting As long
as a question remained unanswered, and there
was a man of courage for the task, he hoped that
means for its prosecution would not be wanting
He had every reason to know that in this c0mmU-
nifty the appeal of Dr. Hayes would not be in
vain.
The question is not, he said, altogether whether
there is an open sea- but plants and animals exist
in that region The proposed expedition, II success
full, will bring to us data which were much need
ed in almost every department OF science. Every
thing seemed TO Indicate the existence Of an open
Polar Sea The Gulf Stream flowing northward
beyond Spitzbergen would carry warm water into
the Arctic Basin, and there was every reason 10
suppose that the bed of the ocean was much de-
pressed u the region of the Pole, and that the eX
istence of land in that quarter counter-indica-
ted. If there is land there, 1t is not probable
that there is much ice. In support Of his view,
that at the centre of the Arctic Ocean the water
is very deep, Prof. Agassz called the attention Of
the Academy to the fact, that the lands investing
it are found to descend rapidly from the crests Of
the great mountain ridges Of the northern hemis-
phere, in both its eastern and western divisions.
When he saw the name Of Washington Grin
mel Land the point from which Morton saw the
Polar Sea it could not hut suggest itself To bis
mind that an American should explore 1t to its
highest point
If Dr. Hayes could make in those high northern
latitudes collections of the lower forms Of animal
life, they would have exceedingly great value
Indeed there is scarcely any quarter OF the world
that would yield richer results to an earnest nat
uralist. He regarded the question as in a certain
sense an American one, and thought that since an
| American DR.. Kane had been the first to pene-
trate te the Polar Sea through Smith Strait, it |;
the duty of Americans to carry on the work.
! In conclusion he begged to give his most hearty
| Recommendation to the enterprise, and to ask sue
cor and aid in behalf of DR.. Hayes.
Prof. Henry B. Rogers the next speaker
He referred in the highest terms to the propose
expedition, and portrayed in the most eloquen
phrases the advantages to science which it nigh
produce, and especially in a geological point o
| view. In closing he appealed earnestly IN besal
Of DR.. Hayes. His remarks were greeted with ap
| plause.
On motion of Captain K. B. Forbes, the follow
| ing gentlemen were appointed a committee o CO
operate with DR.. Hayes in procuring funds in Bos
| ton and vicinity.
CAPTAIN r. B. Forbes. Richard Baker j.
James Sturgis, Abbott Lawrence, j. D. W. Fox
Thornton K. Lothrop, John StetsOn, Charles J
Sprague John G. Webster, A. w. Spencer, pr
Charles D. Homans, NJ. P. Kidder, Stephen A
Dix, Philip H. Sears, George L. Pratt, o. W. Pea
body, Charles G. Kendall, b. W. Taggard, az
rem sawyer.
Mr.. Everett here announced that he had reeelv
ed memorandum from the Messrs. Lawrence
containing the offer of generous sum for the Arc
tic expedition. lie also stated that he had re
ceived note from Theodore Lyman. Esq, well
known and public-spirit citizen, Offering to be on
of ten who would subscribe $4,000. These al
nouncements were received with enthusiastic al
plause.