The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-04-04


Seryt. H. NJ 1sih Infantry
EXTRACTS FROM LOG BOOK.
In CANT, LAT. 80 DEG. 2 MN, LoNG.
109 DEG. I MIN.-Ai last we have sue.
Ceeded in crossing the great ice barrier,
and arc In camp on the south shore Of
the open SEQ discovered by Morton, TO
which we have given the name of Kane's
Sea. II has been terrible ordeal, but
here we are with our sledges, boat and
instruments oil safe.
[For want Of room we omit the record
Of log book detailing adventures of party
up to Feb. 1O..-EDs. INT
Feb. 25.-We reached the exact axle
Of the globe on the 22d, altcr encounter.
log strange and incredible difficulties, and
lost not moments time in displaying the
small flag which had wrapped around
me for that purpose. As the Stars and
Stripes floated in the breeze from the
ram.rod to which l had fastened the
bunting, we shouted ourselves hoarse in
cheers and rejolClngs. II Is strange what
forms are taken 10 express q great and sud.
den Joy. Some shouted and danced about
like insane men-others laughed In glee,
while most Of us wept, and all embraced
each other over and over again. Afler
our feelings had a little subslded, all
knelt down, and offered up solemn thanks
to that Being who had guided US safely
through SO many dangers, and enabled us
to reach this most secret spot in natures
whole domain. The dream of ages was
at length accomplished, and II we survive
the world shall be made acquainted with
new realms, and another centre of Yegeta.
bic aud animal creations. A brief record,
1t Is agreed, shall be made out and trusted
to the chances ora balloon voyage to the
great world from whom We arc 50 widely
severed, and VIC feel an innate hope that
the Providence which has brought us
thus far will watch over the safety of our
tiny conveyance, and wait Il on It's way TO
more genial and inviting climes.
Feb. 2S.-Astronomical observations
fix our exact location upon the planet,
even II other evidence were wanting. Tri.
angulations upon Beta and Me9rez would
settle the point, even |! the Polar Star
were not also SO nearly vertical that our
Instruments can scarce detect any deflec-
tlon. What variations exist are doubtless
due to the exceeding density of the at.
mosphere,and certain pulsating,or wave.
like movement resulting from uneqal
pressure from without. What Is even
more satisfactory, we are enabled to test
1t by chronOmeter time. The mean of
numerous observations is too inhnitessl.
NAL to vary the result
II Is strange to reflect that here we have
neither latitude nor longitude; thatthere
Is neither east, west nor north; that from
hence every point ol the compass Is to-
wards the south. And yet tho needle
varies 8 deg. Z min. 2 sec. from vertical,
showing that the magnetic does not coin.
eide with the true pole,
The sky hos peculiar purple tinge, Of:
ten streaked by the zodiacal flashes, but
the stars blaze with brilliancy unknown
in other regions As the atmosphere
presses equally in every direction toward
this common centre, the tendency Is to
neutralize any currents, and heapit up, so
to speak, so that the outflow Is always
nearly the same' about the outer margin,
which Is everywhere bOrdered by the
great ice barrier. Within this circle there
is neither snow nor rain, as every particle
q moisture is wrung from the air before
1t can enter 1t. Clouds and storms are
equally unknown. The depression Of the
pole thirteen miles, as compared with the
diameter Of the equator, gives several al.
ditional miles to the height Of the atmos.
phere, and the general elect Of this added
weight and density seems to be that the
air acts like a rubber or cushion against
the solid surface, with Uniform friction,
from tho outer circumference or rim oil
which, near the great ice barrier, proceed
those streams Of zOdiacal light, which
by reflection upon the snow, are
often rendered visible high above the
etheral envelope, and for thousands Of
miles toward the south. The magnii.
cence and beauty Of this display from the
inner zone Is utterly beyond the power Of
any language To. describe. As the rotation
Of the globe about It's axis Is uniform,
while its atmosphere Is free TO move, ii
does not keep pace with the solid body OF
the planet, but in effect, falls behind, and
thus spiral or twirling motion Is com.
munlcated TO the body Of the upper air,
which thus seems to move in opposition TO
the diurnal motion. The effect of this
continued pressure and counter motion Is
very visible upon. the surface, for II has
planned down the solid rocks, and given
them 0 marvellous smOotheneSs and polish.
1t was to this circumstance we had so
much difficulty in reaching the true pole,
for there was very poor holding ground
for our feet, and we were forced to move
with the atmosphere, thus making our
route spiral one, as we were actually i'm.
pelled no less than three times about the
centre, OF % great loss Of time and labor,
before we could gain tho neutral point Of
atmospheric rest.
The organic life Of this region Is entire
" peculiar, and indicates a special centre
Of creation 10 meet conditions totally un.