The New York herald., 1879-11-06
ARCTIC EXPLORATION.

CAPTAIN MARKHAM's AND THE DUTCH ExPEDI.
rIoN's ARCTIC CRUIsEs-CoNDITIoN OF THE
ICE.
The London Ahenaum says Captain A. II. Mark.
hams recent Arctic cruise. in company with Sir
Henry Gore Booth. ON board the Norwegian cutter
Isbjorn. has been very interesting from scientific
point Of vew though sport was really its main
object. The first ico encountered was about forty
miles from the Goose coast of Nova zembla. The
Isbjorn then entered the Matochkn Shar.
or Matthew Strait, as it should probably
be called; but finding that passage blocked
with ice she turned back and coasted
along the northwestern shore OF Nova Zemba, till
she was stopped by ice of Cape Nassau. the extreme
northwestern point. She then rctraced her course
and re-entercd the Matochkin Shar only to be again
stopped by ice. though this time it had given"
some way toward the east. Captain Markham was
not. however, satisfied with the impracticabilty Of
making the passage. and having walked along the
shore of. the channel and discovered that the ice
blocked il for only eight miles, he determined to
force the passage. task which he successfully ac-
complishoo, emerging into the Sea of Kara on tho
3lst OF Jnly This sea proved to be full of very
heavy ice, and after coastng along southwark far
as Cape Hessen without discovering an outlet, the
expedtion returned. This condition of the Kara
Sea appears to be rather exceptional, for several
occasions within recent years vessels have navigaed
II without deserving any ice. On re-entering the
Matochkin Shar, the Isbjorn fell in with the Dutch
Arctic expedition in the William Barents, who soon
aftorward left on her northward cruise, the Eng
lsh expedition remaining behind to shoot reindeer.
The IsDjorn then shaped her northward along
the west coast OF Nova Zembla, and rounding
Cape Nassau. reached Cape Mauritius. with
In thirty miles of the old Dutch navigator
Barcnts' winter quarters. As the Norwegian seancn
obstinatcly refused to proceed further the expedition
had To return, and, after touching latitude of 7S
deg. sec. north. steered further westw ard aud
the meridian of AZ deg. east reached their highest
latitude in rs deg. "a min. north, within eighty
miles OF Franz Josef Land. They passed the William
Barents on the Sth of September quito unaware
that thor fortunate rival had by sailing north
ward on the hfty-hfth meridian. actually succeeded
in penetrating to within about four miles OF Franz
Josef Land. The season now so late that the
lspJorn compelled to return and reached Troinso
safe and sound the 22d OF September. Captain
Markhams scientific collections are rich and inter-
esting The collection of plants. comprising about
ninety botanical specimens exclusive Of the fungi,
has been handed over to Professor oliver, or New,
who has pronounced 10 be most interesting
and valuable. The results of the soundngs Will be
examined by Professor Brady; while the birds,
which are an extensive and handsome assortment,
and Dr Dresser, The butterflies and spiders will be
described by Mr.. McLachlan and the Rev.
| @. pickard Cambridge respectively. The geo.
LOGICAL specimens drftwood. &C., will be examined
| by Mr. L. Etheridgc. and the fishes, crustacca,
drcdginr results &c.. by DR.. Gnther OF the British
little known that these spoils will be welcome
TO men of science. while their accumulation within
so brief time is very creditable to Captain Mark
ham. The geographical results of both these cruises
too are important. For two small sailing vessels
10 reach unaided such high lattudes appears ii-
dcate that there Is good chance OF regular expe-
dtion obtaining amuch higher one by selecting tho
western side of Franz Josef Land as . point or
depot whence to despatch slodging parties. This IL
the direction which most geographers appear To
consider the most promising line kfor the next
Arctic expedition.