New-York tribune., 1883-03-11
SCIENCE FOR THE PEOPLE.
EXPLORING GREENLAND.

An Arctic expedition this summer has been
decided upon in SwedeE. Ii has been promoted
by the well known Swedish Macenas, DR.. Oscar
Dickson, and will be in command of Baron
NordensS0ld, whose intention it is on tins Oc-
easion to explore the east and northeast coast
Of Greenland. lt was ,riginally his intention
TO have proceeded this summer into the Sibe-
rian seas, but seeing the delay caused TO the
Danish Polar Expedition, which will now be
there during the summer, this idea was aban-
doned and Greenland decided on instead Baron
NordensNod, having formerly visited the
country, is of the opinion that some klnd OF
break or oasis is to be found in the interior
OF Greenland. He proposes to proceed along
the east coast of Greenland, as far as the ice
will allow, and then to penetrate into the inte-
rior, some 500 miles across the inland Ice. Inc
country inland is nearly the whole year COW
cred. 10y ice and snow, which, during the sum-
ner nspths, render it almosc entirely one bog.
The enormous stretch of inland ice has also
always been barrier to exploration. Nunao,
Another object in view by Baron NoTden-
skiold is to attempt to find traces OF the Morse
colonies, which existed in Greenland from
about the year 1000 until the end OF the four
teenth century. The ultimate fate OF the
Morse settlers in eenland is shrouded IN
mystery, as there is no authentic record OF their
existence after the end of the fourteenth cen
tury. There has also in later days been great
diversity of opinion where to seek for the set
tlemeDts thus the Danish explorer Graah,
who in the years 1S2S-31 was looking for re-
mains of the same, sought them west of Cape
Farewell, but without success. Baron Nor
denskiold is, however, of the opinion that the
Osterbygd and the Morse settlements were sit
uated east of the Cape, and it is there that he
intends to search for them. Interesting and
important results to science would accrue from
the discovery of these dead cities on the
shores of the Arctic Ocean. Baron NoIden-
skiold will start on his journey early in May
pext, probably in one of the vessels OF the
Swedish Navy.
THE BURSTING OF THE MONSOON.
Life i'm India would be impossible without its
monsoons and the periodic approach of one of
these great rain storms is always hailed there
with delight The southwest monsoon sets i'll
generally toward the end of April, the steady
wind sweeping up from the Indian Ocean ana
CARRYING With ii dense volumes of vapOr, which
slowly collect in dark masses of cloud as they
approach the continent. From Adams Peak
in the Isle of Spices, right along the Eastern
and Western Ghauts and the NilgiTis, every
hilltop is gradually sbrOuded in mist, lrstead
of standing out clear and sharp against the sky.
Darker and denser become the cloud masses
the horizon assumes q heavy lead appearance,
sometimes kindlin into a lurid glare-answer-
ing to the sense of oppression, both mental and
physical, which accompanies 1t. The atmos-
phere becomes "close" and oppressive alike to
man and beast but the heat is borne with
patience, for relief is at hand. Flashes of
thunder reverberates through the heavens; the
wind suddenly springs up into tempest and
along the shore the white waves are tossed III
foam against the rocks or over the burning
sand. Then few great drops of rain tall, like
balls of lead from the apparently leaden sky
the fcrked lightning is changed to sheets Of
light, and suddenly the hood-gates Of heaven
are opened, and not ram, but sheets OF wafer,
are poured forth, refreshing the parched earth
carrying fertility over the surface of the conn
try filling the wells and natural reservoirs With
fresh store, and replenishing the dwindling
rivers and streams. The whole earth seems
suddenly recalled to life. Vegetation may al
most be seen to grow, and from the baed mud
of the rvcr-baIks emerge countless fishes
which for weeks or months before have lain
there in torpOr.