Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-08-28
THE SOUTH POLE.

a very interesting paper IN the Popular
Science Monthly for September awalzens the
inquiry that has probably engaged the
minds Of most readers, why has there heen
no extended exploration of the Antarctic
Ocean? Nearly all expeditions to polar
regions have been in the direction of the
north. The Arctic Ocean, because it is
land-locked, has been most inviting to ex-
plorers and scientists. For the reason that
its open seas are small, comparatively, its
straits long and narrow, and its border
lands easy of access, it has afforded the
explorer broader opportunity for northern
research, and has invited him to more in
teresting exploration than a great waste of
water ever can. The Arctic explorer has
to incite him to penetrate northernmost
reaches the inquiry into the natural his
tory of a frozen land; he who explores the
Antarctic Ocean must needs-so far as
present discovery is concerned-confne
himself to a ships deck. 1t cannot be
said that science and exploration have
fairly divided research in this matter Of
polar exposition.
Turning to Mr.. james article, however,
to ascertain his views on the subject, we
find that he records expeditions to the
Antarctic Ocean so few in number that
they car be counted on the fingers. His
comprehensive view is but a grouping OF
well-known facts, really presenting moth
ing new. 1t simply quickens the inquiry
why has there been such neglect of the
Antarctic? 1t may be said, and with force,
that too much of life and treasure has al
ready been expended in polar research,
and we are willing to concede that very
much of it has been reckless and very little
has been compromising. In fact the Rec
oRD-J MON has taken more than one coca
sion to protest against new ventures to the
North Pole that have nothing more defn-
ite in view than the eolution of the ques-
ton of the supposed open polar sea. If
we concede that it exists, Or that north
west passage is open, we may well ask
what Of it, so Ear at least as the benefit of
such discovery may be to the world?
But the spirit of exploration and adj
venture is strong in man. 1t viii always
take form in frequent expeditions of
grave risk. The desire to conquer every
portion of the earth and unfold all It's
mysteries will ever inspire men to pene-
trate regions to which nature bars the
way. There will be more polar expedi-
tions-they will increase in number.
With the advance constantly made in the
art of ship building, in the construction of
scientific apparatus, and in devices for
protecting life under the assaults of the
elements, we may expect these expeditions
to greatly multiply. The spirit of in
quiry, therefore, naturally desires that
Antarctic research shall engage some part
of this resistless human energy.
Below the Antarctic circle is region
equal to a sixth part of all the land of the
earth. OF all this vast region we know
absolutely less than we do of the moon.
All the discoveries by Smith, Howell,
Palmer, BelIinghausen, Meddell, Gheritk,
Cook, Weddell, Biscoe, D'Uryille and
Balleny, Wilkes, Ross and the Challenger
expedition, practically reveal to us only
this, that there is vast collection and
pack of icebergs,unparalleled in hight and
grandeur, between which have been caught
glimpses of land, with occasional stretches
of shore of considerable extent That
under the influence of the warm January
sun there dashes unanimously down these
mountains of ice, cascades and torrential
streams of water into the narrow chan
nels between the lofty walls OF crystal,
that churn the waters of the sea into seeth-
ing foam The shore line OF no Antarctic
continent has been developed with such
certainty is to engage the confidence OF
geographical science.
There IS land within the circle; there
Is upon It quartz aud decomposing rocks,
vegetable lie and remains Of vegetation of
long past ages. In the deep waters is
animal life and its remains corresponding
to similar tokens found in Arctic waters.
Victoria Land, locked within the arms Of