The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-16

PAHOx N0GDENsKJ6LD's REPORT OF TIE
rTSI1Is Or His EXPEDITION.

Gscensaud's Icy Fields.
pAROx N0GDENsKJ6LD's REPORT OF TIE
RESULTS OF HIS EXPEDITION.
From n copy Of Baron Nordenski0ld's
report TO Mr.. Oscar Dickson one Is able TO
form tolerably complete idea Of the gene
raj results Of tie journey into the heart OF
Greenland. His starting point was the
head OF Auleitsiyik Fjord, which Is about
eighty miles long, and, therefore, itself eX-
tends considerably into the interior. The
two Lapps were invaluable; with their
long sk-iGor they made their way over the
ice with perfect ease, even though il
abounded with creyasses. and were OF the
greatest service in tracing out route for
rbe expedition. OF course the party left
behind all but the barest necessaries,
but throughout the trip evidently had
ample food and suffered only from an occa-
siona wcttiDg. Among the implements
they had with them were alpenstocks OF
extra stou;Dess, which were of the greatest
utility, not only for their proper purposes.
bat in bridging the numerous streams met
with and the frequent creyasses. At first the
progress was slow, only about two aud 81
nali miles day between July 7th and OH.
The rivers they met with were rapid, with
steep and difficult banks, which gave the
party much trouble in crossing. The bones
of deer met with in the first few DAYS were
fopdly supposed 10 ne those OF animals
that bad persisted In their journey across
the ice. "fhe Arctic Sahara rs Sordensk-
i0,d calls it; but it was soopSiound that
tins was dc:usion.
CoslnCAL DUST.
The only terrestrial animal met with
throughout the whole journey was a worm,
which seems 10 exhaust all the nourish-
ment OF the frozen land. The party had
difficulty often in finding suitable camping
places. Sometimes the ice was so uneven
that no tent could be pitched: sometime.
IL was so soft and slushy that dry spot
could not be found, and sometimes il so
aboundcd with small cavities that II was
impossible to avoid putting the foct in
{ en-. These cavities have curious in
crest. The interior seems TO abound
With them, and, besides, they were
found 10 CONTAIN a muddy sediment,
which Nordenskiold names kryokonite.
This, he believes, is formed OF dust driven
over the inland ice by wind, but mixed
with what Nordenskiold is convinced is
metallic dust from cosmical space. Alto
ihis substance spread over the interior. 1t
appears TO melt the Ice beneath 1t, and
when the thaw comes sinks down into
these cavities, which, curiously, never
freeze over sufficiently to bear the weight
of a man. Quantities OF the sediment re-
serred TO have been brought home, and
with interest.
AN ICE AQUEDUcr.
The sixth camping-place of the eXpedi-
ton was an exception to the general rule
II WIS n small, level spot, surrounded by
rivers, and almost free from the trouble
some cavities spoken Of. The rivers flowed
into . small lake, the water OF which dis
charged Itself with a thunderous roar INTO
an abyss on the plateau. One river flowed
through deep ravne. sort OF ice-cany0n,
with perpendicular sides. The scene was
so beautiful that Nordonski0ld had il photo
graphed, but no description, he says, can
give any idea of the beauty OF the scene !;
it was like an aqueduct cut in the finest
and purest marble, without spot or blemish.
Even the stolld Lapps gazed at it with ad-
miration. Soon the rate Of travel increased,
and six to eight miles day were easily
done, the ascent being very rapid. their
ninth camp being 2,400 feet above the sea.
Besides the kryokonite above spoken of.
nothing in the shape OF stone or mineral
was found in all the interiors not speck
OF sand even, not the tinest pebble.
HIGH TABLE-LANDs.
AS the party advanced in the interior
they kept constantly rising. but so gradu-
ally that they only discovered the ascent
by means Of their barometer. Vegetation
was certainly met with. but this was every
where over the ice itself. microscopica
and fungoid In character, and finding Il
holding In the widespread kryokonite re-
ferred to. By the 2lst, at the eighteenth
camp, a height OF 1900 feet was reached,
and the wet ice had become so disagreed
ble that Nordenskl0ld resolved to turn
back. He decided, however. to give the
Laps an unimpeded run eastward for four
days. They started at half-past 2 A. NJ.
on the 22d. and on the 2ith, after an alb
sence OF tfty-eight hours, they returned.
They would have stayed away longer, but
were compelled TO return for want OF water
aud fuel. The ground was favorable for
their journey, and Nordenski6ld believes
them when they state that they covered
distance outward Of seventy-two miles.
and that the altitude OF their turning
out no more water was met with by the
Laps, aud the ice became level and
smooth. From thelr flirthest point they
saw no trace OF land appearing above the
surface Of the ice--noihing but an even
sheet 0! Ice rising IN terraces covered with
snow to The depth Of about four feet. The
Only living things they saw were two
ravens, which camc from the north and
swept round, disappearing In the same d.
rection.
TIE RETURN.
The return journey was made withou,
accident, the ford being reached ON An.
gust 4th. On the lCih the Sofia returned
Nom her voyage to the north and the party
embarked Tor the south. Norden.kjiIId nd
mis- no ice-iree land exists in the interior.
~ least between $50 and 900 north. and ex.
plains iis absence as due to the orogra NH
oil iea'nres OF thc country, somewhat differ.
ens from what he bad been led to expect. In
stead oil the interior being protected by lofty
ccast ranges, the whole country rises SYM
netrically aud gradually 10 rounded Ia |
lhle-isnd from the sea, condition which. N |
IT existed rs he pointed out In his original |
pfoeTainme, would be sure to produce an |
interior everywhere covered with lee.
stl'. az ne says, with the aid OF the Lapps /
ne Rvs hem abie 10 penetrate into the very
heart o. Greenland and solve problem OF
Iit " scacUeiuc IMPORTANCE. &