The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-07-15
The New British Arctic Expedition.

GEOGRAPHICAL discovery is by no means
the sole object aimed at. The various
scientific societies which are represented
in this enterprise. are looking for valuable
| acCessions to their present stock OF knowl-
edge from the notes which will be taken
by skilled observers in these novel loca-
tons. The most important point in its
practical bearing on navigation is that
which relates to the dip of the magnet
ic needle, and for the necessary Observa-
lions in this connection the expedition
has been furnished with aZimuth compass
es fitted with the Admiralty standard
circle, and special needles of the finest
| workmanship. Extraordinary observa-
| tons are also TO be made on all occasions
of marked disturbance of the magnet, and
especially during the frequent auroral dis
plays. The length of time which the sun
remains at low altitude every day short
| ly after making its appearance in the
| spring will afford advantageous oppor-
tunitics for examining with the spectre
scope certain lines which have been OBJ
served when the sun is near the horizon,
and which will afford data for some con-
illusions which are sought in regard TO
the earth's atmosphere. In 1876 and
1871 two eclipses of the sun will be visi-
Bile in the Polar circle; observation of
| the cclipses and of the appearance pre-
| scented by the stars, as compared with a
! list of occultatlons Of those luminarics by
| he moon in given latitude and longi-
tudc, will afford material for calculations
by astronomers. The daily weather maps
which are now in course of construction
may, it is hoped, be rendered more useful
as arcsuitOf his visit to the Polar regions
many of the storms which pass over the
| extreme north Of Europe following tracts
which may be noted within the area to be
thus investigated. Pendulum observations
to determine more accurately the shape of
! the earth, tidal phenomena, the collection
Of minerals and meteortcs, experiments
! in regard to the termination of various
seeds at low temperature, and the natural
| history of these unknown regions will
/ all lCItlNC lllCttsu VI dlttilllOI- lit
life history of the seals, as bearing on an
important article of commerce, will be a
special subject of study, and some facts
which naturalists have not hitherto
been able to ascertain with certainty
will be definitely noted. Superficial minds
may not readily recognize the importance
which is seemingly attached TO some
of these observations; but those who
know the valuable results which
! scientific Investigators have been able
to deduce from acknowledgements
facts will be slow to class among trivial
! ties any testimony of this nature. The
noble pre-eminence which England has
| obtained as a commerce promoting and
peace-loving nation justifes her sons in
asserting their first claim to encounter diff
ticulties and dangers in the pursuit OF
knowledge which, when acquired, will be
available for the use of all civilized races
We may regret the occasional sacrifice OF
valuable lives in these explorations, but
ii is useless to expect that the spirit of ad-
venture will be permanently curbed while
such fascinating problems as those con
nected with Arctic discovery await solu-
ton. That being So we rejoice that the
British Government has lent its aid in rem
dering effective the organization of this
enterprise, and with hearty good wishes
for successful voyage and safe return we
would speed the departure of the brave
men who have volunteered to encounter
the perils and the inevitable discomforts
of this projected invasion of the unknown
territories of the Ice King.-Eng'ish In
] dependent