Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-09-11
Riches Of the Polar Region.

Some theorists are Row contend
ing hat the wealth OF the polar cir,
Gle IL not confined TO its seas-to its
whale oil, whale bone and seals,
but that the main supplies of ivory
coal, and other materials are stored
away in the frozen zone, ready tor
use when the more southern inhabit-
able regions of the earth are despoil-
cd of these materials. Nature at the
same time that she hides her treas
ures, also plants in the breast of man
secret intimation of the existence
and location of these treasures, and
it would seem that the irrepressible
efforts of modern adventurers to
reach and explore the northern pole
is O manifestation of that instinct
that has ever at the nick of time ur-
locked the secrets of nature, and en-
larged the field of activity and
progress. II was just under such an
impulse that the continent of Ameri-
ca was discovered when tle civiliZa-
ton of Europe had prepared the old
or nation for emigration and settle
ment in the western hemisphere.
Insects have their antennae or "feel-
ers," and such adventures as Frank
lin, Kane and Hall, as Columbus and
Cabot before them, may be the in
struments by which the human
swarm will hereafter feel it's way TO
the leo bound continent of the north
1t is tIue that no one expects TO
find there rolling prairies, famed by
the warm breath of spring, or gurgl'
ing brooklets, or the gai dens of Hes
perides but the inextinguisable de-
sire of men to explore that aurora
Illuminated land would seem tc
strengthen the coDjectures of some
scientists that the near future will
have to rely on the arctic zone fol
some of the prime necessaries of ex'
istence. The geologist informs uf
tina. the globe in it's first condition
was o melted, molten, seething mass
1t was ages in cooling, and the arctic
region became reduced in tempera-
ture and capable OF supporting vega
tation long before the temperate
zone had reached that condition
There grew those gigantic ferns and
cone.bearing trees whose decay and
accumulation forms the coal meas
ures destined to supply fuel for the
era of steam. Forests cannot supply
the demand of the steam engine
England has good reason to fear that
even her coal will be exhausted.
Some scientists argue that the de-
posite of coal in the frigid zone is alb
solutely inexbaustible; that ia the
/ early geological period, and during
unoounted centuries, a vegetation
fiourished there, whose magnitude
vastness and extent were as far supe
rior to the present vegetation OF thu
tropics, as the latter is now superior
to the moss and lichens of thatfrozer
region. The gigantic frs of Califor
mia borrowed their germs from thi
this almost infinite mass of vegeta
ton underneath the soil may yet de
monstrate the wisdom Of the AL
mighty in providing supply of fue
that will satisfy the wants of all th'
future generations. Mr.. SewarC
might have been impressed will
some of these ideas of the scientist
when he purchased Alaska. The dis
covery of gold and coal there woult
seem to confirm them; and those dar'
ing adventures who seem determln.
ed to explore the world of ice, may
prove to US that it is natures chic
depository of all mineral wealth, anc
what we find in the temperate zone
is the waits from this great treasure
1 house.