Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-01-04
EXPLORATION OF GREENLAND
Dr. Frithiof Nansen's Expedition Across the
Land of ley Mountains.

DE- FrithiOf NanSen's Expedition Across the
Land Of Icy Mountains.
Several times recently we have had 20
record wanderiGgs in most uupromising
localities, says the LONDON Times, but TO
experiences could surpass for apparen t
dreariness those which DR.. Frithiof
Nansen has been undergoing III Green
land since ast July. Courageous hearts
were needed for the little party no5 to
turn gloomy and downcast rs it waved a
last farewell on July II to its late ship
mates before the fog eushrouded the
whole. Twelve days of ice drifting be-
fore the shore, which had seemed within
touch, was reached, would try to an unen-
durable point ordinary nerves. After
the boat crews landed hinge cliffs of Toe
had to be elm bed before the real journey
could be commenced.
When the table land vas attained it
was so blocked with giaciers that progress
was at the rae of no more than ten
miles day. Continually loose snow had
to be waded through. At height of
7 800 feet q storm burst uJon them and
compelled tedious oiicuIt. The western
coast was fenced against their descent,
as the eastern against their assent, ny a
terrible array of ice bnlwarbs Ga their
arrival on the seGshore they learned that
the last steamer had gone; and Que which
their messenger overlook at a further
stage was unable to await for them
In the circumstances me ayety and
good humor which Dr.. Nanseu's and Mr.
Sverdrup's letters exhibit do the utmost
credit to their equanimiry and the solid
lty of their constitution :. We have
little doubt that they testify ,Iso TO other
results of the undertaking RhiCh does
not appear from tae pres cit communion
lions. The leader is trained and en-
thus lastlc DRturalisi; and the interior Of
Gre inland Is for science virgin soil. For
centuries the characteristics of the coun,rv
Its climate, its vegetation, Its four footed
and winged inhabi' ants, its geology, have
been subj cots of unverjfied speculation
and controversy. Thiyty three species
manuals and 124 of birds are known
10 live in, or visit it. There are curious
insects.
The horr, s hitherto ca ogu. d is album
dant, and In sne class of litchens exceed
ipgly rich. The swarms of feathered
migrants bear witness to the presence of
vast quantities of insect and veget able
life. Ali the particulars which have been
collected have been observed from tn
outside fringe OF the couutry, The scat
tered settlers cling to She coast line. aud
1t seldoms enters their N nds to force
their way few miles beyo-d the FROST
locked cliffs. 1t is reasonable to infer
that the details which have been gathert d
of Greenland and its produce are IN
hnlteslmal In comparison with the number
to be escsrtained behind the encompass
ing veil of ice and fog.
That Is what the world wants TO be told
by DIR. Nausen; and it will have to contain
its inquisitlveness fer another four or
five mouths
As a field of colonization Greenland is
hardly likely to appear in Dr.. Nansen's
full narrative of his travels much more
attractive than it has generally been con
sidered in modern days. Remains of
ancient vegetation indicate that the eli
mate was once more favorable. Even at
the period of the old Icelandic settlements
the physical condition must have been
greatly superior to the present.. Ga the
coast it is no longer possible to raise
cattle without extreme care. Formerly
there was good cause to presume that
there were expenses of excellent pasture
for hocks and herds.
From the few words of DIR. Nanseu's
letter it may be inferred that his route
lay through no inland districts of q
character to Justify the faint hope that,
as in Newfoundland, the interior is not
to be judged by the coast. Frost would
seem to have mastered the rival forces
in nature. Summer warmth itself aids
the progress of the glaciers, which glide
onward, propelled by the streams their
thaging sides provide. If unitarian
objects be forwarded by the expedition it
will much more probably be in the direc-
zion of mineral than agricultural indus
tries. Coal exists IN large quantities.
There are graphite, iron and lead
Though hey have not DIS yet been iiscUv-
cred In masses and with a facility suffi-
clent to make the working pay it Is
more than likely they msy be plentiful
inland.
Already the country is famous for a
mineral known to exist in one other
spot of the earth alone. At Ivistnt, on
the Arsut ford is an area of 400 feet in
length by some hundred deep, and of the
same or less breadth, which is occu pied
almost wholly by an immense nodule of
cryolite. Cryolite is valuable for con
version into soda and alum, and the aver
age yearly export of it is said to be
seventy thousand tons. Whether Dr.
Nansen has noticed symptoms of similar
and as copious deposits elsewhere he will
explain when winter has raised its EN-
barge. They will have, it may be feared.
to be extraordinarily wealthy to tempt
capitalists to brave iabors like his in the
endeRvor to realize them.