The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-03-13
ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS.
Mysteries OF the Polar Reaions-Expedl'
lions Fitting Out-A Colony to be Formed.

Mysteries OF the Polar Resions-Expedi.
lions Fitting Out-A Colony to be Formed.
There is a fascination about explora-
tons in unknown lands that makes men
count as nothing the extremes OF heat
and cold, hunger, thirst. fatigue, and
DANCE. The mystery which surrounds
the polar regions, and the Success with
which it's barriers of ice have guarded
it's secrets in the past, are maddenlng to
the explorer and ~geographer. The pole
attracts those who yearn to know the
hitherto unknown, in the same manner
as it attracts the magnetic needle that
always points toward it and notwlth-
standing the large amount Of money
spent and the number of lives hitherto
lost in Arctic explorations, there are
now 80 many expeditions either organ
lied or organizing for further effort IN
this direction that it would seem as
if the secrets of the polar regions would
soon be secret no longer.
In addition to the Howgate expedition,
which has already made a start from our
shores. other nations are hurrying for
ward exploring expeditions on a some
what similar plan. England is about
to fit two vessels under Captain Mares,
who will operate by the way Of the east
coast of Greenland. Sweden, during
the present year, will explore the polar
regions by the way Of Behring's strait,
under the auspices of Professor Nor
denskjold. holland has determined
upon one also. Germany, under the
direction of the Arctic Exploring So.
ciety, has an Obi expedition, command
ed by Captain Virgins, now on duty:
Russia, during the coming spring, will
push forward an chronological expedition,
under the Helsingfors professor, to the
Vogels and Nstyacs, Of the Obi and
Irtysh. Besides these expeditions many
eminent explorers and scientific societies
in different countries are busylng them
selves in e~ndeavoring to establish sta
tons at different points in the Arctic
regions, with a view to those systematic
%synchronous observations 30 necessary
in making proper progress in the discov-
cries in meteorological and other kindred
sciences.
There is little doubt but that many of
the natural sciences might be much en-
riched by observations directed especial
" in their directions. Geographical
! discovery has hitherto been the main
point of the expeditions sent out, and
while this is no doubt. a very important
feature, yet there are many others which
should receive attention. Usually the
exneditions have been SO conducted as
to preclude anything beyond mere loco
motion, all appliances for discoveries l
other directions than that of geographic
cal science being left behind.
Under the colony system, or what IS
, now known as the Howgate plan, there
is no doubt that many interesting dis
coveries in various sciences can be made
that have hitherto escaped observation
under the systems which made locomo-
ton in q northerly~ direction almost the
only thing sought for. At least, this is
the opinion of many scientists, includ-
+ ing such men as Professor Loomis, of
Yale College, and Professor Henry, OF
the Smithsonian. OF the practicability
of the colony scheme as a means OF geog-
raphical discovery we may say that 1t
was brought forward as longag as 1868,
by DR.. Hayes, the Arctic explorer, who
still believes in it that it was a favorite
inder. of Captain Hall, who would, no
doubt, have endeavored to carry it out
had he lived 4; and that the survivors of
the Polaris expedition all indorse it. As
to discoveries and researches in other
sciences Professor Henry gives the fol-
lowing as some that would and should
be made by such expeditions Pendulum
experiments, to better determine the
shape. of the earth; a greater number and
more continued observations for the
more perfect calculation Of the magnet
ism of the earth ; a series of observations
on the tides for at least year and the
results of q larger series of observations
on the winds of the globe than those
now possessed are necessary for com
pleting our knowledge of that subject.
Besides these particular observations
the professor thinks that the whole field
of natural history could be enriched by
collections in the line of botany, min
eralogy, geology, etc., and many facts
of interest obtained with regard to the
influence of extreme cold on animal and
vegetable life.
In view of these reasons, and others
which u space forbids US to give, the
House committee on naval affairs has
reported q bill authorizing the formation
of a colony on the Howgate plan On or
near the shore Of Lady Franklin bay,
near where a seam of coal has been dis
covered. Strong substantial buildings
are to be carried there, and the colonists
are to be furnished with provisions and
other necessaries for three years. The
scientists accompanying the expedition,
who are to be under the direction of the
National Academy Of Sciences, are to be
provided with all the necessary appli-
ances for scientific discovery, including
telephone lines for maintaining com
munications betweensuccessive stations,
and balloons for purposes of observation.
1t is thought that the colonists will
gradually become ~acclmated, and by
training the natives to help them will
thus be enabled to push forward into
regions hitherto unknown by taking ad-
vantage of such favorable aso as
may occur. Whether they will succeed
or not remains to be seen. ALI that we
can say is that if the secrets of the far
north are to be discovered, this plan
seems more feasible that any before
brought forward. -Scientifc american.