The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-05-28

| light OF the arches was not obliterated
(ecllpsed) by the refulgence Of the sun or
by the full moon.
the winter Of the elevation OF the arches OF
light, their extent and position, | am war
ranted in the conclusion that our globe,
even In an auroral minimum year, is adorn-
cd almost perpetually with q wreath OF
light, single, double and multiple, whose
inner rim In 1878 0 ordinarily held an ele-
walton above the earth's surface Of 3-100 Of
the earth's radius, whose centre (''auroral
pole ~ was situated on that radious of the
earth which intersects its surface about the
$40 N. Lat. and the 800 W. Long, Green
wich meridian (2).
This wreath OF light stands In relation
to the variating or wreath auroras of Scan
dinavia as the trade and monsoon winds In
the tropics to the irregular winds and storms
OF the north. Its light never separated
into rays, but bad a transient similarity to
translucent surface. When the aurora be-
comes intense the wreath epiarges, double
and multiple arches are perceived generally
In the same plane. and concentric and in
terchange of rays Of light occurs between
the several arches. 1t is very seldom the
arches are observed occupying abnormal
positions or to intersect.
The scope Of vision of the ordinary arch
90 is bounded within two circles, drawn to
the surface of the earth, with the auroral
pole as centre, and radii measured on the
earth's curvature Of 80 and $50. 1t reaches
few lands inhabited by people OF European
descent. (the noithmost Of Sweden, Nor
way, Finland, Iceland and Danish Green
vucro Is oeIJ trave rslpg Central Iceland.
Southerg Spitzbereen and Frantz Joseph's
Land where the ordinary arch throws but
faint draping Of light in the zenith.
This zone separates the tracts where the
auroral arches appear prominently either
on the northern or southern
borizons respectively. On this visual zone
which Is dearest the auroral pole are only
seen the smallest and in the middle Of
Scandinavian only the greatest and the in
termediate regular formed wreath of light;
but in the latter region, as well as in South
British America, In lieu of these the radi-
ate and the drapery forms Of the aurora are
common. These seem to lie nearer the sur
face Of the earth than the arch-formed au-
rora. The region where the aurorai ap-
pears the most developed is to be sought
in that circle which, with tho auroal pole
as center, Ia drawn to the surface of the
earth with radius measured on the earth's
curvature OF about 24o. In regard to fur,
Their details, as we'll an to the reasoning up
on which I base the foregoing deductions |
may refer to the above named essay.
BIOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL OBsERvA
TIONs.
On the geological and botanical investi-
cations which have instituted I have al
ready given q view in my plan Of op era
ton ought to receive special value by the
fact that they embrace an extent Of coast
ranging through 900 Of longitude and an
immense ocean which has never been visit
ed by any investigator who made the ex-
amina lion OF the various forms Of the ami
NAL and vegetable worlds the object of his
research.
1t is upon this field Of research, perhaps,
that the expedition has gained its most val
uable scientific results, but as these can
FIRST be concluded while the Vega traverses
the Pacific ocean, am compelled to reserve
for my next report to elaborate these. l
will then be enable to transmit DR.. Kjell-
mans complete report on Alga and the
towering plants he has promised by that
time to submit; as also those of DR.. AIM
quist on Lichen, Of DR.. stu1berg on the
Lower and of Lieut.. Nordquist on the |
Higher Forms of the Fauna on the North |
Coast of Siberia.
Together wIvu osssy ufrv nurvrs 1
Borealis forwarded in the course Of the |
winter two elaborated essays for our An |
Geographical Societies trans
actions. The first is upon the Coast Tsch-
uktschers household utensils and their |
habits, and consists OF our experiences
this peculiar Polar Peoples man
aers and habits; as also . description Of
complete collection OF their implements,
their drawings, their wood and bone carv-
ing, amulets, &c. In this as we'll as in
former communication, which was for
warded via Kolyma by q passing Tschukt-
scher, I have 80 repeatedly described our
always pleasant, with this iu-
tercsting Arctic people, that the necessity
TO further enlarge on the topic no longer
exists and which, moreover, is certain to
be subject embrsced with avidity In let
sers sent homo by my associates.
THE POSSIBILITY OF NAVIGATION IN THE
SIBERIAN ARCTIC OCEAN.
The second essay has for title the above.
This also have 30 often had occasion 70
as we'll 10 the plan Of operation
- In my Communications from the
mouth Of the Yenisei and the Lena, that 1t
would seem unnecessary to revert to 1t
now. But az an answer to this question
has been to me the chief aim and purpose
" the expedition. will, at the risk of re-
,eating what already have said, collating
he experiences Of my predecessors in Arc
10 voyages, and my own In this depart
nent, cite the closing rem arks with which
briefly indicate my present apprehension
" this, in practical point OF view, incal-
'ulably important question.
cit il certain that, though
'ur knowledge Of the ocean along consid-
'rable portions Of Asia's north coast is as
'et incomplete, It by no means deserves the
II reputation which hitherto has been en-
ertaiued concerning IL on account of the
disastrous voyages that have been underts-
TEN during near three and half centu-
les.
"Can the voyage, which the Vega has
low accomplished, be repeated every year ?
''For the present 1t Is impossible to an
wer this question with yea or nay uncon-
itionaIly. The first would cause many
eckless attempts; the second would per-
APPS In time have to be rejected upon az ,